Search Results for keywords:"Marine Mammals"

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has proposed granting an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to South Fork Wind, LLC, which would allow the company to take certain marine mammals incidentally during the construction of the South Fork Offshore Wind Project. This project involves pile driving and high-resolution geophysical surveys off the coast of Rhode Island, which may affect marine mammals. NMFS evaluated potential impacts to marine mammals, including endangered species like the North Atlantic right whale, and proposed stringent mitigation measures, such as seasonal restrictions and monitoring, to minimize potential harm. Public comments are requested on this proposal, with the possibility of a one-year renewal under certain conditions.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued a correction to a previously published proposed rule related to incidental takes of marine mammals during U.S. Navy construction activities at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia. The correction changes the deadline for written comments from "January 20, 2021" to "January 21, 2021." This update aims to ensure that the public has accurate information regarding when comments on the proposed rule are due.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has reissued an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for construction activities involved in the Unalaska Channels Deepening Project in Alaska. This reissuance is necessary due to project delays and extends the period of the initial authorization. The authorization allows for the incidental harassment of four species of marine mammals, like humpback whales and Steller sea lions, ensuring that the impacts remain negligible. The reissued IHA maintains the same mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements as originally approved, and complies with environmental laws including the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

The U.S. Navy has requested the renewal of an incidental harassment authorization from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to allow for the taking of marine mammals during construction activities at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine. These activities, which have been delayed, involve modifications to Dry Dock 1 and are similar to those previously authorized, with minimal changes. The NMFS ensures these activities have a negligible impact on marine life, and they have opened a 15-day public comment period to gather further input. The Navy is required to follow specific measures to minimize impacts, including monitoring and reporting any interactions with marine mammals during construction.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued a second Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to the U.S. Navy for a project at the New London Pier Extension at the Naval Submarine Base in Groton, Connecticut. The project was delayed, and the activities originally authorized have not yet started. This IHA allows for the incidental, but not intentional, taking of six species of marine mammals with no change in scope, anticipated impacts, or required mitigation and monitoring from the initial authorization. The new IHA is effective from February 1, 2026, through January 31, 2027.

The National Marine Fisheries Service has received applications from four researchers requesting permits to study marine mammals. These studies involve research on 58 different species, including endangered or threatened whales and seals, under the authority of laws like the Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act. The research activities include surveys, tagging, photo-identification, and biological sampling to understand the animals' behavior, health, and ecological roles. Public comments on these applications can be submitted until March 29, 2021.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), as requested by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), has issued regulations to allow the oil and gas industry to unintentionally take marine mammals during geophysical survey activities in the Gulf of Mexico over the next five years. This means that companies can get special permissions to conduct surveys that might disturb marine mammals, as long as they follow guidelines to minimize the impact on these animals and their habitats. This includes using monitoring and reporting methods to ensure compliance with the rules, and taking measures like stopping activities to avoid harming the animals. These regulations aim to balance industrial activities with the protection of marine life.

Heather E. Liwanag, Ph.D., from California Polytechnic State University, has submitted an application to amend her Scientific Research Permit No. 27514-01, which concerns research on northern elephant seals in California. The requested amendment aims to increase the number of northern elephant seals involved in an infrared thermography project to 200 non-pups, including both juveniles and adults. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is accepting written comments on this application until February 10, 2025. This action is in accordance with legal standards under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and other related regulations.

Leslie Hart, Ph.D., from the College of Charleston, has applied for a permit to import, export, and receive marine mammal parts for scientific research. This permit would allow her to handle parts from up to 700 cetaceans and 700 pinnipeds each year, excluding walruses, to study their exposure to environmental microplastics. The application process falls under several laws, including the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act. Public comments on this application are open until January 16, 2025, and a public hearing can be requested.

The document is a correction notice from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which is part of the Commerce Department. It updates an error found in a previous notice regarding the taking and importing of marine mammals related to training activities in the Gulf of Alaska. The specific correction changes the date listed from "January 29, 2021," to "February 8, 2021." This correction is documented in the Federal Register as "86 FR 7714" and was filed on January 29, 2021.