WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker (both D-NJ) and U.S. Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) made the following statement on today’s announcement from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that it will be issuing an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to Rutgers University, the Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory and the National Science Foundation from June through August of this year. The IHA will allow for the injury or disturbance of marine mammals during a seismic survey conducted by Rutgers University less than 16 miles off the coast of Long Beach Island, New Jersey. An IHA was also approved last year despite Congressman Pallone’s opposition but the project did not move forward due to mechanical issues.
“It was a bad idea for NOAA to allow for seismic testing off the Jersey Shore last year, and it’s a bad idea this year. Seismic blasting is extremely hazardous to marine mammals and can disrupt migration patterns and fish spawning. As the New Jersey coastal economy continues to rebound from the effects of Superstorm Sandy, our fisheries cannot afford to take a hit this summer. We will continue to fight at every opportunity for the environmental and economic well-being of the Jersey Shore.”
Last month, Menendez, Booker and Pallone wrote to NOAA in opposition to the seismic testing application.
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