US court grants more time for Gulf of Mexico species assessment

(Reuters) - A federal judge granted the National Marine Fisheries Service on Monday more time to assess how endangered species should be protected in the Gulf of Mexico, an analysis that is legally necessary for oil-and-gas drilling.

U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman in Maryland gave the agency until May 21, 2025 to issue a new "biological opinion."

Boardman had ruled in August that the assessment was flawed and did not adequately address risks species face from oil spills and vessel strikes. At the time, the court gave the agency until Dec. 20 to complete a new opinion.

U.S. oil-and-gas trade groups warned that energy production in the Gulf could stop if a new assessment was not in place when the previous one expired.

(Reporting by Nichola Groom; Editing by Rod Nickel)