CRE Files Comments on Applications/Reporting Requirements for the Incidental Take of Marine Mammals

Attached below are the Center for Regulatory Effectiveness’ comments to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on an Information Collection Request (ICR) by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) regarding “Applications and Reporting Requirements for the Incidental Take of Marine Mammals by Specified Activities (other than Commercial Fishing Operations) under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.”

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act, OMB approval is required for any agency-proposed collection of information.

The comments emphasize that “CRE does not object to the seismic activities that are the subject of this ICR. Offshore seismic is safe when conducted in accordance with long standing and well known mitigation requirements.”  CRE does explain, however, that they are “concerned with the process by which NMFS is collecting seismic information.”