Environment

Marine Mammals and Seabird Research Authorization Notice

🇺🇸United States··Notice·Medium Impact·View source ↗

AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.

🇬🇧 English

This notice proposes to authorize incidental disturbance of marine mammals during seabird research activities in California's coastal areas. It affects research organizations like Point Blue and requires public feedback by a specified date. The research aims to monitor seabird populations and will operate with minimal impact on marine mammals.

AI-generated summary. May contain errors. Refer to official sources for legal decisions.

Key Changes

  • Proposes incidental take authorization for marine mammals
  • Seeks public comments on proposed research activities
  • Covers research activities from July 2026 to June 2027

Obligations

What this law requires

high

Submit comments and information regarding the proposed incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to ITP.Cockrell@noaa.gov no later than May 11, 2026

Point Blue Conservation Science and public commenters
disclosure
medium

Ensure comments do not exceed 25-megabyte file size and include all attachments within this limit

All entities submitting comments
operational
high

Comply with all mitigation requirements prescribed by NMFS to effect the least practicable adverse impact on affected marine mammal species, stocks, and their habitats

Point Blue Conservation Science
operational
high

Conduct monitoring of marine mammal takings during seabird research activities and maintain records of monitoring results

Point Blue Conservation Science
reporting
high

Submit required reporting on takings and monitoring results as specified in the IHA authorization requirements

Point Blue Conservation Science
reporting

Affected Parties

Research organizationsMarine conservation groups

Tags

marine_mammals,seabird_research,environmental_policy