Overview
ID #
45147.613
Document Type
Environmental Assessment
NOAA Office
National Marine Fisheries Service - Headquarters
Document Status
Complete
Last Updated
08/09/2023
Summary
L-DEO plans to conduct marine geophysical research of the Blake Plateau, off the southeastern US in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean. The seismic survey will be conducted from the R/V Langseth in summer or fall 2023 and will occur largely within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the U.S., but a portion would also occur within the EEZ of the Bahamas and in International Waters, in water depths ranging from >100 to 5200 meters (m). The survey would tow a 36-airgun array with a discharge volume of ~6600 cubic inches (in3) at a depth of 10–12 m. The project includes use of seismic airguns, which may result in the take, by Level A and Level B harassment, of marine mammals.