The Berejiklian government should intervene to stop proposed seismic testing off the Newcastle coastline that has been approved right up to the start of the annual whaling migration, environment groups say.

The federal regulator, National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority, on Thursday released the summary of Asset Energy's environment plan to resume surveying near a region where it had previously drilled for oil and gas.

A humpback whale breaching off the NSW coast. Credit:NSW NPWS

The seismic survey would cover about 12.25 square kilometres, and involve the firing of a sonic gun over 6.25 metres over 208 kilometres of lines.

The permit allows for a 24-hour operation over three to four days, during a period between March 15 and May 31 this year.