NMFS proposes to authorize the taking, by Level B harassment only, of marine mammals incidental to pile driving in association with the Pier 6 pile replacement project at Naval Base Kitsap Bremerton, WA (NBKB). This proposed IHA would be valid from December 1, 2013, through March 1, 2014. Two species of marine mammal are expected to be affected by the specified activities: California sea lion (Zalophus californianus californianus) and harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardii). These species may occur year-round in the action area, although California sea lions are less common and potentially absent in the summer months.
An article in Nature World New explains that “Humpback whale researchers listening to underwater recordings got a surprise upon hearing data collected in Antarctic waters over winter. It had been assumed that all humpbacks migrate to equatorial waters during the winter, but acoustic data from underwater recording stations along the ice shelf revealed the sounds of humpback whales even during the austral winter months.”
The entire article is available at
http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/3885/20130909/humpback-whales-present-antartic-waters-over-winter-surprise-scientists.htm .