NMFS Seeks Comment on Navy IHA for Western North Pacific Ocean
The U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service has requested public comments on an application from the U.S. Navy's Office of Naval Research for an Incidental Harassment Authorization to take marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to conducting Acoustic Technology Experiments in the western North Pacific Ocean. Comments and information must be received no later than May 2, 2013.

ONR proposes to conduct ATE in one of nine provinces comprising the western North Pacific Ocean. The proposed activity would occur for no more than 2 weeks during the spring or summer of 2013. Transmissions from four underwater active acoustic sources are likely to result in the take of marine mammals. Take, by Level B harassment only, of individuals of up to 34 species is anticipated to result from the specified activity.