Biological and Conference Opinion on the Issuance of a Scientific Research Permit Nos. 20648, 21482 and 21938 for Research on Marine Mammals

This document represents the NMFS ESA Interagency Cooperation Division’s opinion on the effects of the proposed action under Permit No. 20648 on blue whales, North Pacific right whales, sei whales, fin whales, the Western North Pacific population of gray whales, Western North Pacific distinct population segment (DPS) of humpback whales, Mexico DPS of humpback whales, sperm whales, the Western DPS of Steller sea lions, East Pacific DPS of green turtles, leatherback turtles, and North Pacific Ocean DPS of loggerhead turtles, as well as designated critical habitat for the North Pacific right whale and Western DPS of Steller sea lions. This document also represents the NMFS ESA Interagency Cooperation Division’s opinion on the effects of the proposed action under Permit No. 21938 on blue whales, Gulf of Mexico subspecies of Bryde’s whales, fin whales, Cape Verde Islands/Northwest Africa DPS of humpback whales, North Atlantic right whales, sei whales, sperm whales, North Atlantic DPS of green turtles, South Atlantic DPS of green turtles, hawksbill turtles, Kemp’s ridley turtles, leatherback turtles, Northwest Atlantic Ocean DPS of loggerhead turtles, South Atlantic Ocean DPS of loggerhead turtles, and olive ridley turtles as well as designated critical habitat for North Atlantic right whales, North Atlantic DPS of green turtles, hawksbill turtles, leatherback turtles, and Northwest Atlantic Ocean DPS of loggerhead turtles.