The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in response to a request under the Marine Mammal Protection Act from Quintillion Subsea Operation, LLC, propose to authorize the incidental taking by harassment of small numbers of Pacific walruses from July 15–November 15, 2016.
The area specified for inclusion in the proposed authorization includes Federal waters of the northern Bering, Chukchi, and Southern Beaufort Seas, the marine waters of the State of Alaska, and coastal land adjacent to Nome, Kotzebue, Point Hope, Wainwright, Barrow, and Oliktok Point. The applicant has requested this authorization for its planned cablelaying activities.
FWS anticipates no take by injury or death and includes none in the proposed authorization, which if finalized, will be for take by harassment only.
FWS will consider comments it receives on or before July 25, 2016.
Click here to read more about FWS’ proposed action.
