Woodbine Passes Resolution in Opposition to Offshore Drilling and Exploration

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 2nd 2019
 
Contact:  Paulita Bennett-Martin, Oceana, 912.809.0097 [email protected]
               Laura Early, Satilla Riverkeeper, 912.462.5094, [email protected]
 
Oceana Applauds Woodbine Georgia for Opposing Offshore Drilling and Exploration
                                                                             
Woodbine, Georgia– Today Woodbine became the latest municipality in Georgia to unanimously pass a resolution against offshore drilling and exploration, including seismic airgun blasting. In total, 20 municipalities in Georgia have formally opposed offshore drilling activities along their coast. Woodbine also adds to the growing national opposition – more than 370 municipalities across the country oppose the expansion of oil and gas activities off their shores.
 
In October, U.S. House of Representatives voted to permanently protect the Atlantic, Pacific and eastern Gulf of Mexico from dirty and dangerous offshore drilling. The Georgia delegation passed a state resolution opposed to offshore drilling and seismic testing in early 2019 which reflects the widespread opposition from cities like Woodbine.  Oceana calls on Georgia’s Senators Isakson and Perdue to lead on legislation to ensure offshore drilling cannot get one inch closer to our shores. “Georgia’s oceans and coast are of global significance and we know this. Our communities will not be safe until the administration reverses its dangerous and ill-informed proposal of drilling in the Atlantic” said Paulita Bennett-Martin, Oceana’s Georgia representative.
 
“We are proud of Woodbine for joining Kingsland and St. Marys in voicing their concern for the dangers that offshore drilling and seismic testing would bring to our coast,” said Laura Early, Satilla Riverkeeper.
 
Numerous fishing and tourism interests – including local chambers of commerce, tourism and restaurant associations, all three East Coast Fishery Management Councils, and an alliance representing over 42,000 businesses and 500,000 fishing families – have expressed concern with offshore drilling and exploration, citing threats to marine life, coastal communities and local economies. Finally, the Department of Defense, U.S. Airforce, NASA have also raised concerns that expanded offshore oil and gas development would threaten their ability to perform critical training and testing activities.
 
 
For more information, please visit www.StopTheDrill.org.  
 
Oceana is the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Oceana is rebuilding abundant and biodiverse oceans by winning science-based policies in countries that control one third of the world’s wild fish catch. With over 200 victories that stop overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution and killing of threatened species like turtles and sharks, Oceana’s campaigns are delivering results. A restored ocean means that one billion people can enjoy a healthy seafood meal, every day, forever. Together, we can save the oceans and help feed the world. To learn more about Oceana’s work in the United States, please visitusa.oceana.org. ​