Marine Mammals

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has published the following notice:

“The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is holding a third public comment period on a stand-alone document containing proposed changes to our draft acoustic guidance for assessing the effects of anthropogenic sound on marine mammal species [pdf] under our jurisdiction.

While NOAA was working to address public comments from the second public comment period and finalize the Guidance, NOAA and the Navy further evaluated certain aspects of the U.S. Navy’s methodology (Appendix A of Draft Guidance). As a result, several recommendations/modifications were suggested. After consideration of these recommendations. NOAA has revised the Draft Guidance to reflect these suggested changes and is proposing to solicit public comment on these changes via a focused public comment period.

The U.S. National Marine Fisheries Services requests comment on a Draft Environmental Assessment to analyze the environmental impacts of issuing
annual Incidental Take Authorizations pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act for the taking of marine mammals incidental to oil and gas activities in Cook Inlet, AK during 2016. NMFS must receive any comments and information on this draft EA no later than March 28, 2016.

Click here to read NMFS’ Federal Register notice of this draft EA.

The U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service is holding a public meeting as part of NMFS’ review of their recovery program under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. The purpose of NMFS’ review is 1) to ensure that recovery program priorities and implementation are aligned with resources and mission mandates; 2) to enhance and align strategic management of NMFS’ regulatory programs; and 3) to provide transparency in the operation of NMFS’ recovery program.

The meeting will be held Tuesday April 19, 2016, through Thursday April 21, 2016, at 9 a.m.

The meeting will be held at the NOAA Science Center, 1301 EastWest Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

Iceland’s only fin whaling company says it won’t hunt the endangered whales for the Japanese market this summer. Click here to read National Geographic article about Iceland’s decision.

Click here to read more.