NC Catch Opposes Atlantic Seismic Airgun Blasting
Today, NC Catch issued its support of the Business Alliance for Protecting the Atlantic Coast (BAPAC) and their current campaign to oppose seismic airgun blasting along the Atlantic coast. Three North Carolinians sit on BAPAC's board of directors. Tom Kies of the Carteret County Chamber of Commerce serves as BAPAC's vice chairman. Pat Broom and Karen Brown of the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce also sit on BAPAC's board.
Since BAPAC's formation in September 2016, it has received the support of over 41,000 businesses and 500,000 commercial fishing families to protect the Atlantic Coast from offshore oil/gas exploration and drilling.
In September 2014, the National Science Foundation conducted seismic mapping near Beaufort. It was observed that 78% of the fish on a reef near the surveying site "went missing" during the event. (read more: https://www.coastalreview.org/2017/02/19376/) Seismic testing associated with offshore oil and gas exploration would be much more protracted and interfere with both marine life and commercial fishing activities. In recent years at least eight seismic survey firms have sought permits to conduct surveys in the Atlantic. According to one report, typical testing involves more than 7,000 seismic blasts daily.
Citizens and business organizations are encouraged to work through BAPAC to amplify efforts to oppose Atlantic seismic airgun blasting. For more information: http://protectingtheatlanticcoast.org/tell-the-feds-asap-to-let-the-atlantic-alone/
