Incidental Take Authorizations for Research and Other Activities

This page lists Incidental Take Authorizations for research and other activities. Applications are typically posted to this page when public review is initiated.

National

Table of Contents

 An Interactive Map can be viewed that shows recent and in process authorizations.

Authorizations In Process

The following authorizations are currently in process.

Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Marine Geophysical Survey in the Northeast Pacific Ocean

Status Public Comment Date Issued Effective Dates
In Process 7/10/2019 -- --

Summary: NOAA Fisheries has received a request from the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to a marine geophysical survey in the northeast Pacific Ocean. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NOAA Fisheries is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to incidentally take marine mammals during the specified activities. We are also requesting comments on a possible one-year renewal that could be issued under certain circumstances and if all requirements are met, as described in Request for Public Comments at the end of this notice.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex Research, Monitoring, and Maintenance Activities

Status Public Comment Date Issued Effective Dates
In Process Closed -- --

Summary: NOAA Fisheries has received a request from the Eastern Massachusetts (MA) National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Complex, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to conducting biological research, monitoring, and maintenance at the Eastern MA NWR Complex (Complex). 

            Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Fishery Independent Monitoring Activities 

            Status Public Comment Date Issued Effective Dates
            In Process Closed -- --

            Summary: NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources has received a request from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to fisheries research in Texas bay systems over the course of five years from the date of issuance. 

            NOAA Fisheries Alaska Fisheries Science Center Fisheries and Ecosystem Research Activities in the Pacific and Arctic Oceans 

            Status Public Comment Date Issued Effective Dates
            In Process Closed -- --

            Summary: NOAA Fisheries' Office of Protected Resources (OPR) has received a request from NOAA Fisheries' Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to fisheries research conducted in multiple specified geographical regions, over the course of five years from the date of issuance. As required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NOAA Fisheries is proposing regulations to govern that take.

              NOAA Fisheries Southeast Fisheries Science Center and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Fisheries Research Activities 

              Status Public Comment Date Issued Effective Dates
              In Process Closed -- --

              Summary: NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources has received a request from NOAA Fisheries’ Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to fisheries research conducted in the Atlantic Ocean along the southeastern U.S. coast and select estuaries, the Gulf of Mexico and select estuaries, and the Caribbean Sea over the course of five years from the date of issuance.  

              NOAA Fisheries Pacific islands Fisheries Science Center Fisheries and Ecosystem Research Activities in the Pacific Ocean 

              Status Public Comment Date Issued Effective Dates
              In Process Closed -- --

              Summary: NOAA Fisheries has received a request from the NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) for authorization to take small numbers of marine mammals incidental to conducting fisheries research, over the course of 5 years from the date of issuance, in multiple geographical regions in the Pacific Ocean.

              Active Authorizations

              The following authorizations are currently active.

              Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Marine Geophysical Survey in the Gulf of Alaska

              Status Public Comment Date Issued Effective Dates
              Active Closed 6/1/2019 6/1/2019 - 5/31/2020

              Summary: NOAA Fisheries has issued an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University to incidentally harass, by Level A and Level B harassment, marine mammals during seismic airgun activities associated with a marine geophysical survey in the Gulf of Alaska. 

              Renewal of University of California Santa Cruz Rocky Intertidal Monitoring off California and Oregon (2019)

              Status Public Comment Date Issued Effective Dates
              In Process Closed 4/26/2019 4/12/2019 - 4/11/2020

              Summary: NOAA Fisheries has issued an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) Renewal to the Partnership for Interdisciplinary Study of Coastal Oceans (PISCO) at the University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC) to harass marine mammals incidental to rocky intertidal monitoring surveys along the Oregon and California Coasts.  

              Renewal of Saint George Reef Light Station Restoration Activities in the Northeast Pacific Ocean (2019)

              Status Public Comment Date Issued Effective Dates
              Active Closed 4/16/2019 4/10/2019 - 4/9/2020

              Summary: NOAA Fisheries has issued an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) Renewal to the St. George Reef Lighthouse Preservation Society (Society) to harass marine mammals incidental to aircraft operations, lighthouse renovations, and tour operations associated with preservation of the St. George Reef Lighthouse Station (Station) on Northwest Seal Rock (NWSR) in the northeast Pacific Ocean.

              Research and Monitoring Activities in Southern Alaska National Parks

              Status Public Comment Date Issued Effective Dates
              Active Closed 3/7/2019 3/7/2019 - 2/29/2024

              Summary: NOAA Fisheries, upon request from the National Park Service (NPS), hereby issues regulations and associated Letters of Authorization (LOAs) to govern the unintentional taking of marine mammals incidental to research and monitoring activities in southern Alaska over the course of five years (2019-2024).

              Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Marine Geophysical Survey in the North Pacific Ocean

              Status Public Comment Date Issued Effective Dates
              Active Closed 8/31/2018 9/1/2018- 8/31/2019

              Summary: In accordance with the regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act, as amended, notification is hereby given that NOAA Fisheries has issued an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University (L-DEO) to incidentally take, by Level A and/or Level B harassment, marine mammals during a Marine Geophysical Survey in the North Pacific Ocean.

              United States Geological Survey Geophysical Survey in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean

              Status Public Comment Date Issued Effective Dates
              Active Closed 8/6/2018 8/06/2018 - 08/05/2019

              Summary: NOAA Fisheries has issued an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to United States Geological Survey (USGS) for authorization to harass, by Level B harassment only, marine mammals incidental to a marine geophysical survey in the northwest Atlantic Ocean. 

              NOAA Fisheries NWFSC Fisheries and Ecosystem Research Activities in the Pacific Ocean

              Status Public Comment Date Issued Effective Dates
              Active Closed 7/27/2018 8/27/2018- 8/28/2023

              Summary: NOAA Fisheries, upon request of NOAA Fisheries' Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC), hereby issues regulations to govern the unintentional taking of marine mammals incidental to fisheries research conducted in the Pacific Ocean 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.

              Point Blue Conservation Science Seabird and Pinniped Research in Central California (2018)

              Status Public Comment Date Issued Effective Dates
              Active IHA Closed 7/3/2018 7/7/2018-7/6/2019

              Summary: NOAA Fisheries has issued an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to Point Blue Conservation Science (Point Blue) to incidentally harass, by Level B harassment only, marine mammals during seabird research activities in central California.

              Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Fireworks Displays in California 

              Status Public Comment Date Issued Effective Dates
              Active LOA closed 6/15/2017 7/04/2017-7/03/2022

              Summary: NOAA Fisheries, upon request from the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, has issued an LOA and regulations to govern the taking of marine mammals incidental to commercial fireworks displays permitted within the Sanctuary in California waters, over the course of five years (2017-2022).

              Alaska Aerospace Corporation Space Vehicle and Missile Launch Operations at Kodiak Island, Alaska 

              Status Public Comment Date Issued Effective Dates
              Active LOA closed 3/24/2017 4/24/2017-4/25/2022

              Summary: NOAA Fisheries, upon request from the Alaska Aerospace Corporation, has issued an LOA and regulations under the MMPA to govern the unintentional take of marine mammals incidental to space vehicle and missile launch operations on Kodiak Island, Alaska, over the course of five years (2017-2022). 

              NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center Fisheries and Ecosystem Research Activities in the Atlantic Ocean 

              Status Public Comment Date Issued Effective Dates
              Active LOA closed 9/13/2016 9/12/2016-9/09/2021

              Summary: NOAA Fisheries, upon request from the NOAA Fisheries Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC), has issued an LOA and regulations under the MMPA to govern the unintentional take of small numbers of marine mammals incidental to fisheries research conducted by over the course of 5 years from the date of issuance, in the Atlantic Ocean.

              NOAA Fisheries Southwest Fisheries Science Center Fisheries and Ecosystem Research Activities in the Pacific Ocean

              Status Public Comment Date Issued Effective Dates
              Active LOA closed 10/30/2015 10/30/2015-10/30/2020

              Summary: NOAA Fisheries, upon request from the NOAA Fisheries Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC), has issued an LOA and regulations under the MMPA to govern the unintentional take of small numbers of marine mammals incidental to fisheries research over the course of five years, in the California Current Research Area (off the U.S. west coast), the Eastern Tropical Pacific Research Area, and the Antarctic Research Area (in the Antarctic Scotia Sea).

              Withdrawn and Inactive

              For documents related to withdrawn applications for Authorization and inactive Authorizations, please contact us.

              Applicant Activity Authorization Type Effective Dates
              SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket Recovery Activities in California (2018) IHA --
              U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Gulf Sturgeon Research in the Gulf of Mexico IHA --

              Expired Authorizations

              For documents related to expired authorizations, please contact us.

              Applicant Activity Authorization Type Effective Dates
              Scripps Institution of Oceanography Low-energy Marine Geophysical Survey in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean IHA 6/11/2018 - 6/10/2019
              U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex Monitoring and Research IHA 4/1/2018 - 3/31/2019
              University of California Santa Cruz Rocky Intertidal Monitoring off California and Oregon (2018) IHA 3/12/2018 - 3/11/2019
              Glacier Bay National Park

              Seabird Research and Climate Monitoring, Alaska

              		 IHA 3/1/2018- 2/28/2019
              St. George Reef Lighthouse Preservation Society Light Station Restoration Activities in California IHA 2/19/2018- 2/18/2019
              SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket Recovery Activities in California  IHA 12/01/2017-11/30/2018
              Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Marine Geophysical Surveys in the Southwest Pacific Ocean IHA 10/27/2017- 10/26/2018
              Scripps Institution of Oceanography Low-Energy Geophysical Survey in the Northeast Pacific Ocean  IHA 9/22/2017-9/19/2018
              University of Hawaii Marine Geophysical Survey in the Central Pacific Ocean IHA 9/14/2017-9/13/2018
              Point Blue Conservation Science Seabird and Pinniped Research in Central California IHA 7/7/2017- 7/6/2018
              U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex Seabird and Shorebird Monitoring and Research IHA 4/01/2017-3/31/2018
              University of California Santa Cruz Rocky Intertidal Monitoring off California and Oregon IHA 2/21/2017- 2/20/2018
              St. George Reef Lighthouse Preservation Society Light Station Restoration Activities in California IHA 2/19/2017- 2/18/2018
              Quintillion Subsea Operations, LLC Subsea Cable Laying Operations in U.S. Arctic IHA 7/01/2017-11/15/2017
              Glacier Bay National Park Seabird Research in Alaska IHA 5/1/2017-9/30/2017
              Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Seismic Survey in Southeast Pacific Ocean IHA 8/01/2016-7/31/2017
              SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket Recovery in California  IHA 6/30/2016-6/29/2017
              Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Fireworks Displays in California LOA 06/28/2012-
              06/28/2017
              City of San Diego Sand Quality Study in La Jolla, California IHA 6/1/2016-5/30/2017
              Point Blue Conservation Science Seabird Research in Central California IHA 5/16/2016-5/15/2017
              UC Santa Cruz Partnership for Interdisciplinary Study of Coastal Oceans Rocky Intertidal Monitoring off California and Oregon IHA 2/03/2016 - 2/02/2017
              St. George Reef Lighthouse Preservation Society St. George Reef Light Station Restoration Activities IHA 2/19/2016 - 2/18/2017
              Fairweather, LLC Anchor Retrieval in Chukchi and Beaufort Seas IHA 7/01/2016-10/31/2016
              Quintillion Subsea Operations, Inc Subsea Cable Laying in U.S. Arctic IHA 6/01/2016-10/31/2016
              Glacier Bay National Park Seabird Research in Alaska IHA 5/16/2016-9/30/2016
              Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Seismic Survey in the South Atlantic Ocean IHA 1/4/2016 - 3/31/2016
              Alaska Aerospace Corporation Space Vehicle and Missile Launch Operations in Alaska LOA 03/22/2011-
              03/22/2016
              Point Blue Conservation Science Seabird Research in Central California IHA 1/31/2015- 1/30/2016

              Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory

              		 Seismic Survey in the Mediterranean Sea IHA 11/19/2015- 12/31/2015

              Glacier Bay National Park

              		 Seabird Research in Alaska IHA 05/15/2015- 09/31/2015
              Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory

              Seismic Survey in the NW Atlantic Ocean Offshore New Jersey

              		 IHA 06/01/2015- 08/31/2015

              USGS 

              		 Seismic Survey in Atlantic Ocean off Eastern Seaboard IHA 08/21/2014-
              08/20/2015

              BLM

              		 Land Survey Activities in the Eastern Aleutian Islands, AK IHA 06/09/2015- 07/31/2015
              Scripps Institution of Oceanography

              Seismic Survey in the Southwest Pacific Ocean, East of New Zealand

              		 IHA 05/18/2015- 07/30/2015

              More Information

              Last updated by Office of Protected Resources on 06/11/2019

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