Gulf of Mexico Renamed 'Gulf of America' in Fed Notice?
Published Date: 4/4/2025
Notice
Summary
NOAA just updated the rules letting TGS do geophysical surveys for oil and gas in the Gulf of America, which might accidentally affect some marine mammals. This new permission lasts until the end of 2025 and ensures the impact on animals is tiny and carefully monitored. If you’re involved in these surveys or care about marine life, this update keeps things clear and safe while supporting energy work.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
LOA issued to TGS for 3D survey
If you operate or are TGS, NMFS issued a modified Letter of Authorization allowing TGS to conduct a 3‑dimensional ocean bottom node (OBN) geophysical survey over 240 lease blocks in the Garden Banks, Keathley Canyon, and Sigsbee Escarpment areas. The LOA is effective March 17, 2025 through December 31, 2025 and authorizes incidental take of marine mammals under the Marine Mammal Protection Act while the survey proceeds.
Survey plan changed — days and zone shifts
TGS modified its planned survey: total sound source operation days decreased from 64 days to 62 days, with Zone 5 increasing from 38 to 43 days, Zone 6 remaining at 15 days, and Zone 7 decreasing from 11 to 4 days. The monthly distribution of the 62 days is not specified, but NMFS notes the planned 62 days of source operation would occur contiguously.
NMFS finds takes are 'small numbers' for species
NMFS determined that the authorized takes for the survey are of no more than "small numbers" (defined as up to one‑third of best abundance) and affirmed negligible impact findings. The notice lists scaled authorized take values and percent of abundance for species (examples: Sperm whale scaled take 211.3 of abundance 3,007 = 7.4%; Bottlenose dolphin scaled take 489.3 of abundance 165,125 = 0.3%; Pantropical spotted dolphin scaled take 3,343.5 of abundance 67,225 = 5.0%), and states the taking will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on availability for subsistence uses.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-14204, Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary; Delay of Effective Date
NOAA is giving everyone more time before the rule that bans grappling or anchoring on Lake Ontario shipwrecks kicks in. Instead of starting in July 2026, this rule is now delayed until September 2028 to let NOAA set up mooring buoys and work with divers and boaters. This means boaters and commercial vessels can keep anchoring safely while NOAA gets everything ready without rushing.
2026-14195, Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are wiping away the official definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act starting September 14, 2026. This change affects anyone involved in protecting endangered plants and animals by shifting how “harm” is understood and enforced. It’s a big move that could change how projects and protections are handled, but no new costs or deadlines are added right now.
2026-07536, Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys in the Gulf of America
Starting April 20, 2026, NOAA is setting new rules for companies doing geophysical surveys in the Gulf of America to protect marine mammals. These rules let companies get permission to accidentally disturb marine mammals but require them to minimize harm and report what they find. This plan lasts five years and helps balance ocean research with saving sea life.
2026-05599, Deep Seabed Mining: Notice of Receipt of Applications for Deep Seabed Mining Exploration Licenses and Announcement of Public Comment Period and Virtual Public Hearings
NOAA got two applications from companies wanting to explore mining deep under the ocean floor. They’re holding virtual public meetings in April and want your thoughts by May 22, 2026. This affects anyone interested in ocean mining and how we protect our seas while exploring new resources.
2026-04256, Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Spatial Fisheries Management; Amendment 15 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan
Starting April 3, 2026, new rules change shark fishing zones and times in the Atlantic to better protect sharks and manage fishing risks. Fishermen using bottom and pelagic longline gear will see updated area boundaries and must pay for electronic monitoring if fishing in certain safer zones. These changes help keep shark populations healthy while supporting responsible fishing.
2026-20501, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Tilefish Individual Fishing Quota Program
The government is asking to keep collecting info from 55 tilefish fishermen who have special fishing quotas. They want to make sure everyone follows the rules and doesn’t catch too much tilefish. This extension won’t cost extra time or money but helps keep fishing fair and sustainable.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-05775, Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Alaska Railroad Corporation Seward Freight Dock Construction in Seward, Alaska
The Alaska Railroad Corporation wants permission to build a new freight dock in Seward, Alaska, which might accidentally disturb some marine mammals nearby. The National Marine Fisheries Service is asking the public to comment on this plan and a possible one-year extension before making a final decision. Comments are due by May 5, 2025, so now’s the time to speak up!
Next: 2025-05779, Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend the Connectivity Fee Schedule
NYSE Arca is updating its Connectivity Fee Schedule to change which third-party systems and data feeds users can connect to. This affects market participants who use the Exchange’s colocation services and may impact their fees starting immediately. The update aims to keep things clear and fair for everyone plugged into the trading action.