MNN - Mother Nature Network

There are an estimated 400 North Atlantic right whales left on this planet. But if the proposed seismic surveys to find potential oil and gas deposits offshore Virginia take place, their lives may be threatened.

 

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is collecting public comments on its seismic air gun exploration just three miles from the mouth of the bay, the first step towards drilling offshore.

 

Air blasts might not be as devastating as dynamite. But happy fish prefer calmer waters. I don't know if there's a happy compromise in this situation, but I'm hoping that a very limited test can occur — not for months and not over hundreds of acres, and that they find no oil or gas potential.

 

Perhaps then we can get moving on offshore wind turbines in my lifetime.