NJ Seismic Study is Back!

Despite opposition from New Jersey, federal, state, and local officials and thousands of citizens, NOAA Fisheries recently published a proposed Incidental Harassment Authorization in the Federal Register for the taking, harm or harassment, of marine mammals for the seismic survey offshore of New Jersey scheduled for June through August of 2015. This seismic study conducted by Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and National Science Foundation along with University of Texas and Rutgers University lead researchers, was supposed to take place last summer, but due to public opposition and vessel issues, the study was delayed. The authorization allows over 32 marine mammal species, six of which are endangered, to be exposed to seismic air guns and three other acoustic blast technologies, all are known to be harmful to marine life. Clean Ocean Action has been working vigorously to stop this dangerous seismic study and we encourage you to join us in the fight.

Public comments on the Incidental Harassment Authorization can be submitted by April 16th. Instructions on how to send in your comments:

Mail Comments to:

Jolie Harrison

Supervisor, Incidental Take Program

Permits and Conservation Division,

Office of Protected Resources

National Marine Fisheries Service

1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

Email Comments to:

ITP.Cody@noaa.gov.

Please include 0648-XD773 in the subject line.