"The action agency for this consultation is the NMFS Office of Protected Resources Permits and Conservation Division (Permits Division). The Permits Division proposes to issue a Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) permit (Permit No. 20466) to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (i.e., the researchers; ADFG) authorizing scientific research on ice seals in the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas of Alaska, including bearded seals (Beringia Distinct Population Segment [DPS]) and ringed seals (Arctic DPS, proposed as threatened, listing vacated and currently under appeal). This consultation, biological opinion, and incidental take statement, were completed in accordance with section 7(a)(2) of the statute (16 U.S.C. 1536 (a)(2)), associated implementing regulations (50 C.F.R. ʹʹ401-16), and agency policy and guidance was conducted by NMFS Office of Protected Resources Endangered Species Act Interagency Cooperation Division (hereafter referred to as 'we'). This biological opinion (opinion) and incidental take statement were prepared by NMFS Office of Protected Resources Endangered Species Act Interagency Cooperation Division in accordance with section 7(b) of the ESA and implementing regulations at 50 C.F.R. ʹ402. This document represents the NMFS opinion on the effects of these actions on the bearded seal Beringia DPS, ringed seal Arctic DPS and proposed critical habitat, Steller sea lion and designated critical habitat, seven ESA-listed whale species (bowhead, North Pacific right, fin, humpback Western North Pacific and Mexico DPS, Western North Pacific gray, blue, and sei whales), and North Pacific right whales designated critical habitat. A complete record of this consultation is on file at the NMFS Office of Protected Resources in Silver Spring, Maryland"--Introduction. [doi:10.7289/V59C6VNT (https://doi.org/10.7289/V59C6VNT)]

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)