Biological Opinion on the Issuance of an Incidental Harassment Authorization to Fairweather LLC for Anchor Retrieval Activities in the U.S. Chukchi and Beaufort Seas, Alaska
June 17, 2016
Biological opinion on the effects of the proposed activities on endangered and threatened species and designated critical habitat for those species during the 2016 open water season.
This opinion considers the effects of the issuance of an IHA to take marine mammals by harassment under the Marine Mammal Protection Act incidental to anchor retrieval operations by Fairweather in the U.S. Beaufort and Chukchi Sea from June 22 to October 31, 2016. These actions have the potential to affect:
- the endangered bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus)
- the endangered fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus)
- the endangered humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)
- the endangered North Pacific right whale (Eubalaena japonica)
- the endangered western Steller sea lion (Eumatopias jubatus) distinct population segment (DPS)
- the threatened Arctic subspecies of ringed seal (Phoca hispida hispida),
- the threatened Beringia DPS of bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus nauticus)
- designated critical habitats for North Pacific right whale and Steller sea lion
Action Agency: NOAA Fisheries Alaska Region, Protected Resources Division
NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2016-9526