Today, NOAA Fisheries issues five incidental harassment authorizations (IHAs) pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), related to planned geophysical surveys in the Mid- and South Atlantic. NOAA Fisheries is taking action in response to requests from five separate companies.
The issued IHAs include appropriate mitigation and monitoring measures to reduce impacts to marine mammals. The requirements are based on extensive reviews of scientific literature on the effects of noise on marine mammals and their habitat as well as review of public comment received on the proposed IHAs. BOEM has responsibility for permitting these surveys and is the agency charged with making decisions about energy development in waters of the outer continental shelf. Under the MMPA, NOAA Fisheries is charged with the conservation and protection of marine mammals, including the appropriate authorization of otherwise prohibited incidental take of marine mammals. You can find the issued IHAs and supporting documentation here ( https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/incidental-take-authorization-oil-and-gas-industry-geophysical-survey-activity-atlantic).
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