On 20 May the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issued a biological opinion on the oil and gas program in the Gulf of Mexico that found that vessel strikes related to oil and gas drilling in the Gulf are likely to jeopardize the existence of the endangered Rice’s whale.
According to the analysis, there are an estimated 51 Rice’s whales remaining in the Gulf, prompting the implementation of speed restrictions and a requirement for vessels to maintain a minimum distance of 500 meters (547 yards) from the species if sighted.
Reuters report that this follows a federal judge’s order last year requiring the National Marine Fisheries Service to revise its earlier assessment, which was found to inadequately address the risks posed by oil spills and vessel strikes to the endangered species.
While the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) welcomed the release of a recent analysis, they criticized its conclusion that oil and gas activities pose a threat to the Rice’s whale population.
According to the NOIA, the Gulf of Mexico stands as one of the world’s most environmentally responsible and economically critical offshore energy hubs. It supports hundreds of thousands of American jobs, generates billions in revenue that funds conservation and coastal restoration efforts and produces some of the lowest-carbon intensity oil globally.
As we continue reviewing the new opinion, we are concerned by the inclusion of a jeopardy finding for the Rice’s whale. That determination appears inconsistent with the best available science and triggers unnecessary regulatory uncertainty.
…said Erik Milito, President, NOIA.
