The Christie administration is seeking federal court action to halt research that involves blasting the ocean floor off New Jersey with sound waves.
The state Attorney General's Office filed a complaint in U.S. District Court on Friday arguing the federally funded research project will harm fish and marine animals.
The National Science Foundation-funded research is mapping ocean sediment deposits to study how the shoreline has advanced and retreated in response to rising sea levels.
The state says the project violates federal laws protecting marine animals and wants it halted or delayed.
The NSF referred a request for comment to the Justice Department, which did not immediately respond.
The U.S. District Court and a federal appeals court ruled against the state's efforts seeking an injunction to block the work last year.