Mitigation Measures

Mitigation measures are actions intended to avoid, minimize, or reduce potential adverse impacts to marine species and the marine environment. EnerGeo Alliance supports mitigation measures for geophysical surveys that are grounded in the best available science and demonstrated to be to be effective, practicable, and operationally feasible. However, we do not support mitigation measures that are not not supported by scientific evidence or that are intended to address speculative effects for which there is no demonstrated or reasonably foreseeable risk. More than six decades of extensive worldwide geophysical survey activities and scientific research indicate that the risk of direct physical injury from survey sound to marine mammals is extremely low. Additionally, there is no scientific evidence demonstrating biologically significant adverse effects on marine mammal populations.

The energy geoscience industry mitigation measures that are commensurate with the level of potential risk and the likelihood of significant effects to marine life. Such an approach helps ensure that mitigation requirements are proportionate, effective, and tailored to local environmental conditions and species-specific considerations.

Environmental stewardship is a core value of the energy geoscience industry. The industry is committed to conducting operations responsibly and employs mitigation measures such as exclusion zones, soft-starts (ramp-ups), and Marine Mammal Observers/Protected Species Observers to monitor the exclusion zone and initiate further mitigation actions as may be appropriate based on industry best-practice and/or local requirements.

When considered on a case-by-case basis, spatial or temporal closures should be limited to areas where geophysical survey activities present a plausible, documented potential for risk to the species of concern. Closure boundaries and timing restrictions should be based on the best available scientific information regarding species distribution, habitat use, life-history requirements, and potential exposure pathways rather than broad precautionary assumptions.

Protection standards and mitigation requirements should be risk-based, practicable, and applied consistently across ocean activities in a manner that reflects relative risks posed by each activity.