The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is proposing a rule that would allow the incidental take of certain marine mammals over five years due to surveys along the Oregon and California coasts. These surveys are part of the University of California Santa Cruz's monitoring of rocky intertidal zones. To protect the marine mammals, specifically pinnipeds like seals and sea lions, the rule includes measures such as avoiding disturbance to pups and monitoring for predators. The rule seeks public comments to help finalize these regulations, aiming to minimize harm while conducting important environmental research.
Simple Explanation
The government is thinking about letting scientists check on the animals in coastal areas for the next five years. They want to make sure they don't bother the seals and sea lions too much while doing this, and they are asking people to share their thoughts on how to best protect these animals.