Incidental Take Authorization: Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, LLC's Site Characterization Surveys off New Jersey and New York (2023)

NOAA Fisheries has received a request from Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, LLC for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to marine site characterization offshore of New Jersey and New York in the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Commercial Lease of Submerged Lands for Renewable Energy Development on the Outer Continental Shelf Lease Area OCS-A 0499 and OCS-A 0549 and associated export cable route area. The activities described in Atlantic Shores’ request, the overall survey duration, the project location, and the acoustic sources proposed for use are identical to what was previously analyzed in support of the IHA issued by NOAA Fisheries to Atlantic Shores for the 2022 site characterization surveys (2022 IHA). All proposed mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements remain the same. While Atlantic Shores’ planned activity would qualify for renewal of the 2022 IHA, due to the availability of updated marine mammal density data, which NOAA Fisheries has determined represents the best available scientific data, NOAA Fisheries has determined it appropriate to provide a 30-day period for the public to comment on this proposed action.