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Incidental Take Authorization: NOAA Fisheries AFSC Fisheries and Ecosystem Research Activities in Pacific and Arctic Oceans

Overview

Authority
Marine Mammal Protection Act
Action Status
Final Rule
Effective
10/07/2019
Affected Species
North Pacific Right Whale
Bowhead Whale
Gray Whale
Humpback Whale
Minke Whale
Sei Whale
Fin Whale
Blue Whale
Sperm Whale
Cuvier's Beaked Whale
Baird’s Beaked Whale
Stejneger's Beaked Whale
Beluga Whale
Common Bottlenose Dolphin
Short-Beaked Common Dolphin
Pacific White-Sided Dolphin
Risso’s Dolphin
Killer Whale
Short-Finned Pilot Whale
Harbor Porpoise
Dall’s Porpoise
Northern Fur Seal
California Sea Lion
Steller Sea Lion
Bearded Seal
Spotted Seal
Ringed Seal
Ribbon Seal
Northern Elephant Seal

Summary

NOAA Fisheries' Office of Protected Resources hereby issues regulations to govern the unintentional taking of marine mammals incidental to fisheries research conducted in multiple specified geographical regions over the course of five years. These regulations, which allow for the issuance of Letters of Authorization (LOA) for the incidental take of marine mammals during the described activities and specified timeframes, prescribe the permissible methods of taking and other means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on marine mammal species or stocks and their habitat, as well as requirements pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of such taking.

Research Areas map

Research areas map

Fishing gears in water column

Diagram of fishing gears in water column

Last updated by Office of Protected Resources on 12/01/2021