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° International Game Fish Association <br />Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum <br />Officers <br />Paxson H. Offield <br />Chairman <br />Robert E. Rich Jr <br />Vice Chairman <br />Rob Kramer <br />President <br />Michael L. Farrior <br />Secretary/Historian <br />Charles W Duncan 111 <br />Treasurer <br />George G. Matthews <br />At Large <br />Board of Trustees <br />Pierre Affre <br />Terri K. Andrews <br />Jose "Pepe" Anton <br />Martin Arostegui, M.D <br />Gary Carter <br />Roy W Cronacher Jr <br />Charles W Duncan III <br />Michael L. Farrior <br />Robert E. Fondren <br />Guy Harvey, Ph.D <br />Sean M Healey <br />Michel Marchandise <br />George G. Matthews <br />Paxson H. Offield <br />K. Neil Patrick <br />Carlos F. Pellas <br />Robert E. Rich Jr <br />William Shedd <br />Ralph "Agie" Vicente <br />Joan Salvato Wulff <br />Past Chairmen <br />William K. Carpenter <br />Elwood K. Harry <br />Michael Lerner <br />Michael J Levitt <br />George G. Matthews <br />Trustee Emeritus <br />Pamela S. Basco <br />Jose Luis Beistegui <br />Maumus F Claverie Jr <br />Peter S. Fithian <br />Floyd D Gottwald, Jr <br />Ruben Jaen C. <br />John L. Morris <br />300 Gulf Stream Way, Dania Beach, Florida, 33004 U S.A. <br />Phone. 954-927-2628 • Fax: 954-924-4299 • Museum Fax. 954-924-4220 <br />May 1, 2014 <br />Gary D. Goeke <br />Chief, Regional Assessment Section <br />Office of Environment (GM23E) <br />Bureau of Ocean Energy Management <br />Gulf of Mexico OCS Region <br />1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard <br />New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394 <br />Dear Mr. Goeke, <br />The International Game Fish Association would like to offer the following comments in <br />response to the Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PETS) to evaluate potential <br />environmental effects of multiple geologic and geophysical (G&G) activities in the Mid- and <br />South Atlantic OCS Planning Areas. <br />The proposed G&G activities will have significant environmental impacts but the PEIS fails to <br />provide specific detail on how it will affect marine mammals, fish and benthic communities. <br />We feel that, if these impacts cannot be properly quantified, the risk of undertaking this <br />project is not defensible. <br />Marine resources in this area support a large job base that generates important revenue. <br />Recreational fishing, in particular, is a very significant economic entity in the Mid and South <br />Atlantic regions. Each year recreational fishing in these two areas generates over 10 million <br />dollars in angler expenditures and supports nearly 80,000 jobs. <br />The area under consideration in the PEIS is enormous and includes the entire continental shelf <br />along the Mid- and South Atlantic. In addition, much of the shelf is shallow (<50 m) and <br />would place the entire water column within the "lethal range" of the array. While large fish <br />have the ability to avoid the airgun array, we feel that it may substantially affect migration <br />patterns of fish. Marine mammals, including endangered Atlantic right whales, may also be at <br />risk from this project. <br />In short, we do not feel that the PEIS fully assesses the potential risks associated with seismic <br />testing. The Mid and South Atlantic region harbors a rich and complex marine ecosystem that <br />supports a large job force and contributes greatly to the economy of this area. As such, we <br />feel that there is simply is too much at risk in going forward with seismic testing. <br />Sincerely, <br />Jason Schratwieser <br />Conservation Director <br />The international Game Fish Association is a not-for-profit organization committed to the conservation of game fish and the <br />promotion of responsible, ethical angling practices through science, education. rule making and record keeping <br />Email: hq@igfa.ore • Website: www.igfa.org <br />i'15 -C -I <br />