On 30 November 2018, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) finalized multiple incidental harassment authorizations for five separate applicants, which provide the preliminary authorization necessary for the Department of Interior to make final approval decisions for geophysical survey activities to be conducted in the Atlantic Ocean. This approval marks the first time since the 1980’s that the Federal Government has allowed such seismic testing with airguns in the Atlantic Ocean. The action was met with the introduction of a bill, by Congressman Don Beyer (D-Va), known as the “Atlantic Seismic Airgun Protection Act” to otherwise preclude this forthcoming activity.
For more information, please visit the NOAA website.
