Search Results for keywords:"marine mammals"

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) 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.

America Films, Ltd. has applied for a permit to film gray whales in California for a television series celebrating North American wildlife. The filming, scheduled for April 2021, will use both a vessel and an unmanned aircraft system. The filming may inadvertently impact other marine species like sea lions, seals, and dolphins. The National Marine Fisheries Service is seeking public comments on the application until March 8, 2021, before making a decision.

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) within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued permits and permit amendments under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA). These permits are for specific entities, allowing activities that involve marine mammals and endangered species. The issued permits comply with legal requirements and ensure that activities will not harm endangered species or contradict the laws. More information is available for review by contacting specific representatives or through the Federal Register website.

SeaWorld LLC has applied for a permit to conduct research on a non-releasable beluga whale named Tyonek, from the endangered Cook Inlet population. The permit, under review by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), would allow studying the whale's behavior and providing care at SeaWorld of Texas. Tyonek, stranded as a baby and deemed non-releasable, will be part of educational programs to inform the public about the beluga’s endangered status. The permit request includes potential transport of Tyonek for socialization or care needs and is intended for a five-year period.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes granting an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities for their ferry terminal project in Angoon, Alaska, which could incidentally affect marine mammals. The authorization allows for a limited number of marine mammals to be harassed, primarily through noise from pile driving activities, under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. NMFS has laid out specific mitigation and monitoring measures to minimize impacts, and these activities are not expected to significantly harm marine mammal populations. The public is invited to comment on the proposal and the potential one-year renewal of the IHA.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), extended the expiration date of a Letter of Authorization (LOA) for bp Exploration and Production, Inc., allowing them to take marine mammals incidentally during geophysical surveys in the Gulf of Mexico. The new expiration date is March 31, 2025, instead of the original February 14, 2025. This extension is due to bp using only one source vessel rather than the planned two, and it does not change any other aspects of the survey or the analyses supporting the authorizations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued two Incidental Harassment Authorizations (IHAs) to the United States Coast Guard (USCG) for activities related to construction of facilities in Seward and Sitka, Alaska. These permits allow for the incidental disturbance of marine mammals during the construction of fast response cutter docks, provided that the impact is negligible and does not adversely affect marine mammal populations or subsistence uses. The activities, expected to last into 2027 and 2028, involve measures to minimize harm, including monitoring for marine mammals and implementing shutdown procedures if necessary. The authorizations ensure compliance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act and relevant environmental regulations.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has received a request from the U.S. Navy to renew an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) for the NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO). This renewal allows for the incidental taking of marine mammals during the construction needed for relocating NOAA research vessels at Naval Station Newport in Rhode Island. The activities are nearly identical to those already analyzed in an existing authorization and the renewal will allow continuation for up to another year. NMFS has preliminarily determined that the proposed actions will not have a significant impact on marine mammals and seeks additional public comments before making a final decision.