NMFS Proposes IHA for Beaufort Seismic
The U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service has published its intent to issue to SAExploration, Inc., an Incidental Harassment Authorization to take marine mammals, by harassment only, incidental to a marine 3-dimensional (3D) ocean bottom cable (OBC) seismic surveys program in the state and federal waters of the Beaufort Sea, Alaska, during the open water season of 2013. NMFS proposes to issue this IHA pursuant to the service's authority under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. NMFS must receive any comments and information on this IHA no later than July 15, 2013.

The planned 3D seismic survey would occur in the nearshore waters of the Colville River Delta in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea. The components of the project include laying nodal recording sensors on the ocean floor, operating seismic source vessels towing active airgun arrays, and retrieval of nodes. There will also be additional boat activity associated with crew transfer, recording support, and additional monitoring for marine mammals.