NOAA Issues Regulations for Marine Mammal Incidental Take During U.S. Navy Operations in Pacific and Indian Oceans

Summary

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is issuing regulations to govern the incidental taking of marine mammals during U.S. Navy operations of Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System (SURTASS) Low Frequency Active (LFA) sonar systems in the western and central North Pacific and eastern Indian oceans. The regulations, which will be in effect from August 2026 through August 2033, allow for the issuance of a letter of authorization (LOA) for the incidental take of marine mammals during specified activities and timeframes.