An environmental impact assessment (EIA) commissioned by the International Association of Geophysical Contractors (IAGC) has concluded that electromagnetic (EM) techniques used for oil and gas exploration and production in the marine environment have no potential for significant effects on animal groups such as fish, seabirds, sea turtles, and marine mammals. In addition, cumulative effects from EM surveys are negligible compared to natural EM anomalies, induced fields from natural water currents, and anthropogenic EM sources such as those originating from undersea equipment.

The EM assessment was funded by the member companies of the IAGC’s EM subcommittee and prepared by LGL environmental research associates of St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The goal of the EIA was to provide a comprehensive resource summarizing available literature and potential effects of EM technologies on marine life. Designed for a broad audience, the document provides a basic description of EM survey technologies, naturally-occurring EM fields, and the potential use of these fields by diverse animal groups. The assessment focuses on survey activities considered to have at least some potential to affect marine animals, such as EM, noise, light emissions, and accidental events.

Source：http://fb.eage.org/content.php?id=55893