Georgia Sea Creatures Protected From Seismic Airgun Blasts

Environment Georgia Researcy & Policy Center

In a major victory for whales and other sea creatures, today the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) denied all pending permits for seismic air gun blasting in the Atlantic Ocean, including areas off the Georgia coast. The pending permits had been opposed by Environment Georgia and others in the recent 2016 Dirty Dozen report from the Georgia Water Coalition (GWC).  

Environment Georgia’s Director, Jennette Gayer, issued the following statement in response:

“Seismic air gun blasts can harm sea creatures thousands of miles away, interrupting their migration patterns, causing hearing impairments, stress, injury and even death. We applaud the Obama Administration for doing right by the whales, dolphins and sea turtles.

Moreover, the only purpose of this painful seismic testing is as a prelude for dirty drilling, which the administration has already had the courage and wisdom to reject.

This is a victory for the thousands of business owners and Georgia’s coastal communities that have spoken out against offshore oil and gas exploration and development. Our beautiful coast, barrier islands and the marine life it supports are better protected today thanks to President Obama.”