Open for CommentNOAA· National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationProposed Rule

Taking and Importing Marine Mammals: Incidental to Geophysical Surveys in the Gulf of America

Introduced February 24, 2026Comment period ends March 27, 2026View on regulations.gov ↗
💬 Closes in 8 daysDeadline: Mar 27, 2026

What This Means

This proposal would allow oil and gas companies to conduct seismic surveys in the Gulf of Mexico using loud underwater sound waves to search for oil and gas deposits, even though these surveys can harm or disturb marine mammals like whales and dolphins. The rule would set limits on how much harm is acceptable, require companies to monitor for marine mammals, and impose restrictions on when and where surveys can happen to reduce injuries. This matters because it balances energy exploration with protecting ocean wildlife, affecting both the fishing and energy industries as well as the long-term health of marine ecosystems in the Gulf.

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Details

TypeFederal Regulation
AgencyNOAA · National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Regulations.gov IDNOAA-NMFS-2025-0638-0006
IntroducedFebruary 24, 2026
Comment DeadlineMarch 27, 2026

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