U.S Oil and Gas Companies Should Consult with Environmental Groups Before Conducting Seismic Surveys

A humpback whale with sea lions

The Trump administration recently permitted five companies to "incidentally, but not intentionally, harass marine mammals" by using seismic air guns when searching for oil and gas in the Atlantic Ocean. The decision has shocked environmental groups, who argue that the blasts of compressed air can harm mammals like humpback whales, and some coastal communities, who are concerned that the decision is a forerunner to offshore drilling. However, the permissions given by NOAA Fisheries are not the decisive step. The companies are required to also acquire permits from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) before they start searching. Furthermore, the authorizations expect the companies to take some measures to minimize harm to marine mammals. For instance, watchers on the vessels should warn the crew if a protected animal comes nearby. In addition, the searching missions are also required to observe underwater sounds for mammal vocalizations and close up for specific "sensitive species or groups." If allowed by BOEM, the companies would use the air guns to map underwater geology in order to look for oil and gas reserves and the blasts generated from the guns could cover a large area off the central and southern East Coast. Despite the given measurements, environmental groups strongly oppose the initiative pointing out that seismic blasting would tremendously impact the livelihood of marine animals. For example, Christopher Joyce of NPR recently reported that the acoustics from air guns would interfere with the communication of marine mammals by drowning out their sounds to each other. The report also pointed out that whales were observed to retreat from the air gun sounds, making them abandon their breeding or feeding grounds. In addition to marine mammals, other research indicated that the sounds could harm smaller marine animals such as plankton. Although the Trump administration announced that it was open to seismic surveying for oil and gas, some Republicans like Governor Henry McMaster of South Carolina, have parted ways with the administration to oppose this method of exploration.

A seismic air gun in use

I personally think it is very absurd that the Trump administration would issue a statement that companies can "incidentally" harass Atlantic Ocean's marine life through seismic surveying with air guns when searching for oil and gas. How can you call it incidental that marine mammals like whales, dolphins, and porpoises suddenly come into contact with seismic air gun sounds and end up getting harmed in some way? I believe that these companies which are given federal permission to conduct seismic surveys in the Atlantic Ocean should stay in contact with organizations like the NOAA and others, who could advise them on which parts of the ocean are suitable for such activities and during what times of the year. This is especially important since migratory mammals like whales are known to occupy certain parts of the ocean for breeding or feeding. At the same time, it is especially crucial to thoroughly study the reaction of various marine animals' reaction to the acoustics from seismic air guns in order to get a better understanding as to whether conducting seismic surveys in the Atlantic Ocean or any other ocean is safe. Whales, dolphins, porpoises, and other marine animals have special roles in keeping the marine environments healthy and any harm inflicted upon them can jeopardize the environments to some degree.

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