# 2025-23782: NOAA Okays Oil Surveys in Renamed Gulf of America Waters

2025-23782, Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys Related to Oil and Gas Activities in the Gulf of America (Formerly Gulf of Mexico), is a Federal Register notice from Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration published 2025-12-29, effective 2026-04-19 (as of 2026-06-08).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-23782
- As of: 2026-06-08
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2025-23782
- Title: Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys Related to Oil and Gas Activities in the Gulf of America (Formerly Gulf of Mexico)
- Type: Notice
- Agencies: Commerce Department; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Citation: 90 FR 60634
- Published: 2025-12-29
- Effective: 2026-04-19
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: none
- Last updated: 2026-06-08

## In one line

NOAA Okays Oil Surveys in Renamed Gulf of America Waters

## Summary

NOAA just gave WesternGeco the green light to continue their underwater surveys for oil and gas in the Gulf of America, but they must be careful not to harm marine mammals. This new authorization replaces the old one and lasts until April 19, 2026. It’s a win for energy exploration while keeping ocean animals safe and sound.

## Abstract

In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as amended, its implementing regulations, and NMFS' MMPA regulations for taking marine mammals incidental to geophysical surveys related to oil and gas activities in the Gulf of America, originally published as "Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys Related to Oil and Gas Activities in the Gulf of Mexico," notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued a revised Letter of Authorization (LOA) to WesternGeco LLC (WesternGeco), in place of Viridien, for the take of marine mammals incidental to geophysical survey activity in the Gulf of America (GOA).

## Effects PRIA read

No economic effects identified for this document.

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## Sources
- [2025-23782 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/29/2025-23782/taking-and-importing-marine-mammals-taking-marine-mammals-incidental-to-geophysical-surveys-related)
- [2025-23782 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-12-29/pdf/2025-23782.pdf)

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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-23782 (as of 2026-06-08).