Incidental Take Authorization: Office of Naval Research Arctic Research Activities in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas Year 5 (2022-2023)

NOAA Fisheries has received a request from Office of Naval Research for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to Arctic Research Activities in the Beaufort Sea and eastern Chukchi Sea. NOAA Fisheries is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to incidentally take marine mammals during the specified activities. NOAA Fisheries is also requesting comments on a possible one-time, one-year renewal that could be issued under certain circumstances and if all requirements are met. NOAA Fisheries will consider public comments prior to making any final decision on the issuance of the requested authorization and agency responses will be summarized in the final notice of our decision. The ONR’s activities are considered military readiness activities pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act, as amended by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004.