The Trump administration on Friday authorized the use of seismic air guns to find oil and gas formations deep underneath the Atlantic Ocean floor. This approval reverses the previous policy set by the Obama administration. Critics are already outraged by the decision, stating that the practice can disturb or injure whales, sea turtles and other marine life.
The National Marine Fisheries Service said it has authorized permits under the Marine Mammal Protection Act for five companies to use air guns for seismic surveys in the mid-Atlantic, from Delaware to central Florida.
In addition to booming shale oil production, the recent approval of seismic surveys for Atlantic drilling by the Trump administration would expand offshore drilling in the Atlantic, further strengthening leadership position of the U.S. in crude oil output. The move has drawn opposition from East Coast lawmakers and governors as it could hurt commercial fishing and tourism. However, Industry groups argue that seismic surveys have been conducted in the U.S. and globally for decades with little adverse impacts.
