STATEMENT: Ocean Conservancy Calls Plans to Reopen Gulf Waters to Oil and Gas Leasing “A Terrible Step Backward”

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management released its five-year plan today, moving to reopen federal waters off the coast of Florida to new oil and gas leasing. Ocean Conservancy’s Director of Florida Conservation J.P. Brooker released the following statement:

“Regardless of political party, Floridians have spoken with one clear voice for decades that they strongly oppose drilling off the Gulf Coast. Opening federal waters in the eastern Gulf to drilling as the White House administration proposes would be a terrible step backward and put at serious risk our marine life, our Gulf waters, our beautiful beaches and the Florida economy.”

ABOUT OCEAN CONSERVANCY  

For more than 50 years, Ocean Conservancy has delivered effective, evidence-based solutions for the ocean and all who depend on it. Today, we continue to unite science, people and policy to protect our ocean from the greatest challenges it faces: climate change, plastic pollution and biodiversity loss. We are a 501(C)3 headquartered in Washington, D.C. that inspires a worldwide network of partners, advocates and supporters through our comprehensive and clear-eyed approach to ocean conservation. Together, we are securing a healthy ocean and a thriving planet, forever and for everyone. For more information, visit oceanconservancy.org, or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Bluesky or Instagram.