Hands across the sand, Ocracoke, May 21, 2016. Photo by P. Vankevich
Hands across the sand, Ocracoke, May 21, 2016. Photo by P. Vankevich

By Peter Vankevich

In spite of dire forecasts and threatening weather, folks headed to the Airport Beach yesterday to participate in the annual Hands Across the Sand demonstration. Although the Obama administration has placed a five-year moratorium on off-shore drilling, the possibility of seismic testing is still looming.  For the time being, seismic survey planning work covering an enormous area off the southern half of the Atlantic coast has also been put on hold while federal fisheries managers review new information about potential harm to sea turtles and marine mammals.

Additionally, according to an article by National Geographic, air-gun surveys used in the testing could also scare fish away from commercially important fishing grounds along the coast.

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