Opposition Grows Against 'Seismic Testing' Off Little Silver

Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. and New Jersey environmental leaders met at the Asbury Park boardwalk this weel to denounce the Trump administration’s approval of five Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) permits for companies planning to conduct seismic geological and geophysical surveys along the Atlantic coast.

“I remain strongly opposed to oil and gas drilling and exploration off New Jersey’s coastline, the first step of which is seismic airgun blasting,” Rep. Chris Smith said in response to the administration’s announcement that it would approve requests for seismic airgun blasting off the Atlantic Coast.

The permits authorize five companies to use seismic airguns that can disturb, harm, and potentially kill not only marine mammals but also a wide range of marine life that support coastal economies from Florida to Maine, Pallone said. Seismic testing opens the door for the expansion of offshore drilling in the Atlantic and along New Jersey’s coast.

“I am so proud to see New Jerseyans stand together against yet another trump attack on New Jersey,” said Pallone. “While seismic testing will not take place directly off New Jersey, it could lead to oil and gas drilling off our coast and the entire Atlantic. Whether it’s the GOP Tax Scam, delaying Gateway funding, ICE threatening our local law enforcement or paving the way for drilling off New Jersey’s coast, the Trump administration continues to push policies that make it more difficult for working families to make ends meet”

“An environmentally sound coast is critical to New Jersey’s economy and it is very possible that seismic testing could lead to oil and gas drilling off our coast – threatening public health, coastal communities, and hundreds of thousands of jobs. I know that New Jersey will stand united and work tirelessly to fight this reckless decision by the Trump administration.”

Representatives from Clean Ocean Action, Jersey Coast Anglers Association, Environment New Jersey, American Littoral Society, NJ Sierra Club, the New Jersey Restaurant & Hospitality Association, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the offices of Senators Menendez and Booker joined Pallone at the event.

“We thank Congressman Pallone for his leadership and actions to help stop these outrageous seismic tests,” said Cindy Zipf, Executive Director of Clean Ocean Action. “Ocean blasting is cruel; it would never be tolerated on land and it must be stopped. One seismic ship is bad enough, but the planned activity would allow five ships in the same area within the same year all to pursue oil and gas, which we know is a dead-end energy source that we must stop using if we want a livable planet.”

“There is no reason to put whales, dolphins and other marine animals through the terror of seismic blasting off New Jersey,” said Tom Fote, JCAA Legislative Chairman. “We are never going to allow oil and gas drilling off the Jersey shore so there is no positive reason to do this blasting,” said Tom Fote, JCAA Legislative Chairman. “We have enough problems in the ocean from climate change and other man made activities like beach replenishment and the proposed windmills.”

Rep. Pallone photo