Endangered Species Act Section 7 Biological Opinion: Issuance of Incidental Harassment Authorization under section 101(a)(5)(a) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act to TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company ASA (TGS) for Marine 2D Seismic Activities in the Federal and International Waters in the Chukchi Sea, during the 2013 Open Water Season

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Endangered Species Act Section 7 Biological Opinion: Issuance of Incidental Harassment Authorization under section 101(a)(5)(a) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act to TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company ASA (TGS) for Marine 2D Seismic Activities in the Federal and International Waters in the Chukchi Sea, during the 2013 Open Water Season

2013
Series: ESA Section 7 Consultation

Details

NOAA Program & Office:

NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service) ; AKR (Alaska Region)
Description:

This opinion considers the effects of the authorization of an IHA to take marine mammals by harassment under the MMPA incidental to open-water seismic surveys to TGS in the U.S. waters and international waters of the Chukchi Sea from July 15 to October 31, 2013. These actions have the potential to affect the endangered bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus), endangered fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), endangered humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), endangered right whale (Eubalaena japonica), endangered western Steller sea lion (Eumatopias jubatus) distinct population segment (DPS), threatened Arctic subspecies of ringed seal (Phoca hispida hispida), and threatened Beringia DPS of bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus barbatus), as well as the designated critical habitats for North Pacific right whale and Steller sea lion.
Keywords:

Bearded Seal Bowhead Whale Finback Whale Humpback Whale Incidental Take (Endangered Species) North Pacific Right Whale Ringed Seal Steller's Sea Lion Bearded Seal Bowhead Whale Finback Whale Humpback Whale Incidental Take (Endangered Species) North Pacific Right Whale Ringed Seal Steller's Sea Lion
Series:

ESA Section 7 Consultation
Format:

PDF
Consultation Number:

AKR-2013-9282
Document Type:

Biological Opinion
Place as Subject:

Chukchi Sea
Rights Information:

Public Domain
Compliance:

Library
Main Document Checksum:

urn:sha256:43b3f357c66135dc0a954d16dfdc30113cc1839ebc6a081b2345120f0e109c64
Download URL:

https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/17152/noaa_17152_DS1.pdf
File Type:

[PDF - 7.76 MB ]

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