Search Results for keywords:"California sea lions"

Paul Ponganis, Ph.D., from the University of California San Diego, has applied for a permit to study California sea lions. The research aims to understand the physiological responses and diving behavior of these sea lions, involving capturing and tagging adult females and their pups. The study will also temporarily disturb other marine species, such as harbor seals and elephant seals. The permit request is under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and public comments on this application are invited until March 29, 2021.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to the U.S. Navy to allow for the incidental harassment of marine mammals during the Pier 6 Replacement Project at Naval Base San Diego. This project involves pile driving and removal activities, which might disturb California sea lions but is not expected to cause injury or mortality. The authorization includes specific measures to mitigate impacts on marine mammals, such as monitoring practices and temporary work stoppages if marine mammals enter the designated zones. The project's environmental impact has been assessed, and it is not expected to have significant adverse effects on marine mammals or their habitats.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is considering renewing a permit that allows the lethal removal of specific sea lions in parts of the Columbia River. This action, requested by a group of state and tribal entities, aims to protect threatened fish species like salmon and steelhead from sea lion predation. The request is to extend the current permit, issued in August 2020, for another five years without changing the terms. Public comments on the renewal request are welcome until May 12, 2025.

Daniel Costa, Ph.D., from the University of California at Santa Cruz has applied for a permit to study California sea lions across their range. The research aims to explore the sea lions' foraging habits, habitat usage, and health through various methods including aerial surveys, capturing, and biological sampling. The permit, which is requested for a 10-year period, allows incidental disturbance to some non-target marine mammal species and up to three unintentional mortalities annually. Public comments on the application are invited by April 17, 2025, and can be submitted via email.