GORI applauds the recently issued “Recommendations for Increasing the Efficiency of Permitting and Authorization for Ocean Exploration, Mapping, and Research Activities” by the Ocean Policy Committee. These recommendations should act as enablers for GORI’s work in the Gulf of Mexico and benefit the coastal communities of the Gulf.

Mapping and exploring America’s coastal and ocean waters provides critical data and information that support the Blue Economy and advance critical economic sectors including maritime commerce, domestic seafood production, energy production, tourism and recreation, and other interests. In 2016, such activities contributed more than $300 billion per year of economic activity, 3 million jobs, and $129 billion in wages to American workers.