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 SAExploration, Inc. (SAE) for Marine 3D Ocean Bottom Cable Seismic Activities in the U.S. Beaufort Sea, Alaska, 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 SAExploration, Inc. (SAE) for Marine 3D Ocean Bottom Cable Seismic Activities in the U.S. Beaufort Sea, Alaska, 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 SAE in the nearshore waters of the Colville River Delta in the U.S. Beaufort Sea from July 15 to October 31, 2013. These actions have the potential to effect 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. NMFS PR1 is the federal action agency that issues IHAs and is responsible for ensuring compliance with the terms and conditions of the IHA activities.
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-2013-9283
Document Type:

Biological Opinion
Place as Subject:

Beaufort Sea ; Alaska
Rights Information:

Public Domain
Compliance:

Library
Main Document Checksum:

urn:sha256:e77748280a695f9d0eace0b4d22001e0e83fe1d96a60827f8205e85a0a24f12c
Download URL:

https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/17193/noaa_17193_DS1.pdf
File Type:

[PDF - 6.50 MB ]

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