Gulf of Mexico Officially Becomes 'Gulf of America' in Mammal-Harming Permit
Published Date: 12/8/2025
Notice
Summary
NOAA just gave WesternGeco the green light to do geophysical surveys for oil and gas in the Gulf of America, but they must be careful not to harm marine mammals. This permission runs from December 3, 2025, to April 19, 2026, and includes rules to keep the impact on sea creatures super low. If you’re curious, all the details and documents are online for anyone to check out!
No Economic Impacts Identified for this Document
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.
2026-20356, Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Summer Flounder Fishery; Quota Transfer From North Carolina to Massachusetts
North Carolina is sharing part of its 2026 summer flounder fishing quota with Massachusetts to help balance the catch between states. This change kicks in on October 2, 2026, and lasts until the end of the year. Fishermen in both states will see updated limits, making sure the fishery stays fair and sustainable.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-22197, Agency Information Collection Activities: Emergency Request for Temporary Reinstatement
The Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council is asking for a quick OK to restart collecting info that helps track big infrastructure projects under the FAST-41 law. This emergency move keeps the project list active and ensures smooth federal reviews without delays. They need a decision by November 28, 2025, so projects can keep moving forward without costing extra time or money.
Next: 2025-22199, Siberian Airlines d/b/a S7 Airlines, 633104, Russia, Novosibirskaya obl., g. Ob. prospekt Mozzherina, d. 10 ofis 201; Order Renewing Temporary Denial of Export Privileges
Siberian Airlines, also known as S7 Airlines from Russia, is having its export privileges temporarily denied again because it keeps breaking important trade rules. This ban stops them from sending certain goods out of the U.S. and will continue until further notice to protect public safety. The government is serious about making sure these rules are followed, so this restriction could affect Siberian’s business and shipments for a while.