Biological Opinion on the Issuance of Permit No. 14534 for Scientific Research on Marine Mammals in Pacific Ocean
July 02, 2010
NOAA Fisheries' opinion on a proposed action for researching marine mammals in and around Southern California and the effects on threatened and endangered species and designated critical habitat in the area.
The consulting agency for this document is NOAA Fisheries' Office of Protected Resources—Endangered Species Division. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act, NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources—Permits, Conservation and Education Division proposes to issue a permit for direct 'takes' of endangered sperm (Physeter macrocephalus), blue (Balaenoptera musculus) and fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) within the U.S. Navy's existing Southern California (SOCAL) Range Complex, other U.S. locations including offshore waters and international waters throughout the Pacific basin.