A federal court has snubbed New Jersey's appeal to stop ocean blasting along the coast of New Jersey in the Atlantic Ocean.
The 3rd Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals has rejected New Jersey's bid to stop seismic testing off the coast of Long Beach Island. The ocean blast is aimed to provide research data and examine sediments and ocean bed. The objective of ocean blasting is to complete a 3D map of a part of the ocean floor, which is expected to offer hints of what may happen if the water level rises.
The National Science Foundation, Rutgers University and the University of Texas want to conduct a research of the sediments deposited on the ocean bed. The ocean blasting has already received a go ahead from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration.
Oceana, an international organization focusing on the conservation of oceans, explains that ocean blasting includes shooting of loud blasts of compressed air in the water via seismic airgun attached to ships. The air blasts travels miles through the water and to the seabed, which is then reflected back and provides information to scientists.
"These dynamite-like blasts-which are repeated every ten seconds, 24 hours a day, for days and weeks at a time-are 100,000 times more intense than a jet engine," per Oceana.
Ocean blasting may harm or even kill a large number of dolphins, turtles, whales and other marine life. However, the research group says that it will be cautious with the ocean blasting and will take full precautions so that the marine life witnesses least disruptions. The research group also said that it will temporarily stop the project if marine life is found nearby.
Fishing groups and environmentalists have also raised concerns over the planned ocean blasting.
"Needless to say, we are extremely disappointed with this ruling and the fact that the federal government is pushing it at this time of year," says Larry Hajna, a spokesman for the state Department of Environmental Protection. "There are too many risks and uncertainties with moving forward with a project like this, particularly in the summer when marine life is most abundant and active," he said.
Testing is expected to begin any day and the testing is not expected to pose any safety concerns to humans who use the beach.
