Search Results for keywords:"incidental take"

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) received a request from the University of California Santa Cruz for permission to conduct research that may incidentally affect small numbers of marine mammals along the coasts of Oregon and California over the next five years. This request, under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), aims to regulate any potential disturbances during the university's rocky intertidal monitoring work. The public is invited to provide feedback on this request by January 6, 2025. NMFS will evaluate all comments before finalizing any regulations to ensure the protection of marine mammal populations while allowing necessary research activities.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has issued a Letter of Authorization (LOA) to WesternGeco for conducting geophysical surveys related to oil and gas activities in the Gulf of America. This authorization allows the incidental taking of marine mammals during these activities, under the condition that such impacts are minimal and do not significantly harm the species. The regulations ensure that the activities will have a negligible impact on marine mammal populations and include measures for mitigation, monitoring, and reporting. The authorization is in effect from March 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has received a request from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ALDCNR) to allow the incidental taking of small numbers of marine mammals during fisheries research in Mobile Bay and nearby waters. This request covers activities over the next five years. NMFS is seeking public input on this application and is ensuring that any authorized taking will have a negligible impact on marine mammal species. The public can submit comments until January 27, 2025.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the Commerce Department, published a rule regarding the incidental taking of marine mammals during the U.S. Navy's Q8 bulkhead repair and replacement project at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia. The Navy requested a delay of the rule's effective date from January 1, 2025, to August 4, 2025, and an extension of the expiration date to August 3, 2030, due to construction delays. This rule allows for the incidental impact on small numbers of marine mammals from activities like pile removal and installation, which will take place in phases over 212 non-consecutive days. The NMFS decided not to hold a further public comment period as the changes only affect the dates and not the conditions or assessments of the original rule.

The National Marine Fisheries Service has granted a Letter of Authorization (LOA) to Hilcorp Alaska LLC. This authorization allows the incidental, unintentional take—or disturbance—of four species of marine mammals during Hilcorp's oil and gas activities in Cook Inlet, Alaska. This LOA is issued under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and incorporates necessary conditions related to the mitigation, monitoring, and reporting of any incidents. The authorization is valid until April 21, 2021.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has issued a Letter of Authorization (LOA) to the Murphy Exploration and Production Company for activities in the Gulf of Mexico. This LOA allows the company to incidentally take small numbers of marine mammals while conducting geophysical surveys related to oil and gas activities. The authorization is based on specific regulations ensuring any impact on marine life is negligible, and it includes mitigating measures like monitoring and reporting. The survey is planned to last seven days within designated areas and is expected to comply with all applicable rules regarding the protection of marine mammals.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued regulations to govern incidental take of marine mammals by the Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC) for their research activities. These regulations, valid for five years, authorize unintentional separations, injuries, or deaths of marine mammals during these activities in specific regions, like the California and Antarctic ecosystems. The regulations outline permissible methods of capture and require minimized impact on marine mammal populations, along with conditions for monitoring and reporting. The rule aims to allow SWFSC to conduct necessary research while ensuring the protection and survival of marine mammals.

On January 7, 2021, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published a final rule concerning the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) which aimed to exclude incidental take of migratory birds from prohibited activities. However, the rule's effective date, initially set for February 8, 2021, has been delayed to March 8, 2021. This decision follows the Congressional Review Act, ongoing litigation, and concerns from the Canadian government. The delay allows for further review and public comment on whether the rule should be amended, further delayed, or rescinded entirely.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has received a request from the City of Hoonah for authorization to incidentally take marine mammals during the construction of the Hoonah Cargo Dock in Alaska. The activity involves pile driving and removal, which could affect marine mammals. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is seeking public comments on the proposed authorization and a possible one-year renewal. Mitigation measures are proposed to minimize impacts on marine mammals, ensuring the incidental takes are negligible, with monitoring and reporting to be conducted throughout the construction activities.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) received a request from the U.S. Navy for permission to conduct activities that might unintentionally affect marine mammals in the Gulf of Alaska. These activities, which are part of military training, could disturb the animals due to the use of sonar and explosives. The NMFS is considering new regulations to minimize these effects and has invited the public to share their comments by a specific deadline. Additionally, the Navy has proposed several measures to protect marine life during their operations.