The purpose of this document is to explain the analysis and rationale for determining whether the mortality and serious injury incidental to U. S. commercial fisheries will have a negligible impact on specific species listed as endangered under the ESA.
This opinion addresses the potential effects of authorization of “small take” permits under section 101(a) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, as amended, for certain oil and gas exploration activities in the U. S. Beaufort Sea and Chukchi seas for 2010.
Consultation on the potential effects of oil and gas leasing and exploration in the U. S. Beaufort Sea and Chukchi Seas, and authorization of “small take” permits.
Yakutat observer manual. The Marine Mammal Protection Act gives NOAA Fisheries the authority to place observers aboard commercial fishing vessels to collect data for the purposes of assessing the impacts of commercial fisheries on marine mammals.