August 21, 2024 — A 2020 biological opinion on the impact of oil and gas extraction on protected marine life in the Gulf of Mexico has been struck down by a federal court.
The National Marine Fisheries Service, an office of NOAA, produced the opinion. The court ruled the opinion is in violation of the Environmental Species Act and Administrative Procedure Act.
In 2021, five environmental organizations challenged the opinion. Earthjustice filed a lawsuit on behalf of those five organizations. Now those organizations are claiming a victory.
Joanie Steinhaus is the Ocean Program Director for the Turtle Island Restoration Network, which is one of the organizations involved in the suit. She says this has been in the works for years.