The Federal Government has released a map showing where oil and gas companies desire to conduct seismic surveys. This seismic testing representspositivesteps toward oil and gas development , which is said to be fraught with troubling environmental consequences, including fish and marine mammal kills.Our Outer BanksCommunity andthe Atlantic coast depend on healthy oceanand beachesfor tourism, recreation, and commercial fishing.Our lives depend upon the health of the oceans and we do not support anything that negatively affects the coast of North Carolina. As a native son to NC I want to protect our coast.
The Outer Banks is particularly vulnerable to the destructive effects of seismic testing,while the Gulf Stream current come in contact with the southerly flowing Labrador current, rich in sea life, thisposesan enormousthreat tothe offshore ecosystem andour wildlife.According to the Department of Interior's own estimates, this seismic exploration will injure 130,000 marine mammals over the next 8 years.Some wonder why we aren't using our natural resources like wind(we are know for wind and sun)solar.More to come and there should be more awareness made to the public, both coastal residents, beach property owners, vacationers and residents that live inland and call NC Home.
( Resource: Surfrider Foundation )
More information regarding this issue: http://www.environmentnorthcarolina.org/programs/nce/protect-our-coast