seismic airgun blasting

Join our newsletter

The best of EcoWatch, right in your inbox. Sign up for our email newsletter!

    Trump Administration Approves Harmful Seismic Blasting in Atlantic

    Trump Administration Approves Harmful Seismic Blasting in Atlantic

    Despite vehement opposition from communities, businesses and lawmakers along the Atlantic coast, the National Marine Fisheries Service on Friday is expected to issue five permits, or Incidental Harassment Authorizations (IHA), that allow deafening seismic surveys to search for offshore oil and natural gas in the Atlantic Ocean. The Trump administration’s move was first reported by […]

    Deepwater Horizon Anniversary: Trump Administration Ignores Advice on Preventing Explosions, Injuries, Blowouts

    Deepwater Horizon Anniversary: Trump Administration Ignores Advice on Preventing Explosions, Injuries, Blowouts

    The Trump administration is ignoring advice from the bipartisan commission that investigated the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster as officials move to repeal offshore drilling safety regulations adopted in its aftermath. Friday is the eighth anniversary of the explosion that killed 11 oil workers and caused more than 210 million gallons of oil to flow uncontrolled […]

    Trump Administration Offers 77 Million Acres in Gulf of Mexico to Oil Industry

    Trump Administration Offers 77 Million Acres in Gulf of Mexico to Oil Industry

    The Trump administration is holding the biggest offshore oil and gas lease auction in U.S. history Wednesday, offering all 77 million acres of unleased, available federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico. The sale comes as administration officials seek to rescind drilling safety rules approved after the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster, reduce royalties paid by […]

    Irish Parliament Votes to Ban New Fossil Fuel Exploration

    Irish Parliament Votes to Ban New Fossil Fuel Exploration

    Ireland’s Dáil Éireann, the country’s lower house of parliament, voted 78-48 Thursday to advance a bill to stop the government from issuing new contracts for both on and offshore oil and gas exploration. Despite strong opposition from the Irish government, the legislation was backed by thousands of activists, campaigners, parliamentarians as well as a surprising […]

    Florida’s Exemption From Offshore Drilling Plan Called ‘Political Stunt’

    Florida’s Exemption From Offshore Drilling Plan Called ‘Political Stunt’

    The Trump administration will exclude Florida from its controversial offshore oil drilling plan after a plea from the state governor, Rick Scott. “I support the governor’s position that Florida is unique and its coasts are heavily reliant on tourism as an economic driver,” Interior Sec. Ryan Zinke said Tuesday. “As a result of discussion with […]

    Belize Ends Oil Operations in Its Ocean Waters

    Belize Ends Oil Operations in Its Ocean Waters

    Belize, home of the largest barrier reef in the western hemisphere, has permanently suspended oil operations in its ocean waters. The legislation marks the first time that a developing country has taken such a major step to protect its oceans—and all the life within—from oil exploration and extraction. The new suspension of oil activity marks […]

    ​North Atlantic Right Whales In Dangerous Decline, Study Confirms

    ​North Atlantic Right Whales In Dangerous Decline, Study Confirms

    By Giulia C.S. Good Stefani A new study published in the journal Ecology and Evolution confirms that the North Atlantic right whale—one of the world’s most endangered whales—has reversed course and is no longer recovering, but rather, is in perilous decline. The authors estimate the probability that the population is declining at 99.99 percent and […]