The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has proposed a request for public comments on issuing an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory for a marine geophysical survey set to take place off Western Mexico in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean. This survey is expected to incidentally affect marine mammals under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. NMFS has outlined measures to limit these impacts, such as setting up monitoring and establishing zones for shutdown. All feedback received will be reviewed before a final decision is made.
Simple Explanation
The National Marine Fisheries Service is asking people to give their thoughts on a plan to let some scientists listen to sounds in the ocean off Mexico to help understand sea animals better, but this might make some whales and dolphins a little annoyed. They want to make sure that they don't bother these animals too much, so they're setting up special rules to help keep them safe.