More than 200 scientists from the United States, Australia, Canada, Spain, the United Kingdom and Norway met March 20-22 in San Diego to identify gaps in understanding the effects of noise on marine fish, fisheries and invertebrates in the U.S. Atlantic and Arctic Outer Continental Shelf.
“Ensuring that we have robust science is critical to moving forward with new energy development off the U.S. Atlantic Coast and Arctic OCS,” said director Tommy P. Beaudreau. “Seismic data is a key tool in evaluating the potential for offshore oil and gas exploration, renewable energy activities, and decisions related to sand and gravel dredging for habitat restoration. However, underwater noise can have significant effects on marine life and fishing patterns, and we must understand and manage those effects.”
Additional information about the workshop can be found at: http://www.boemsoundworkshop.com.
Additional information about BOEM’s Environmental Studies Program is available at: http://www.boem.gov/studies.
