Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to U.S. Navy 2022 Ice Exercise Activities in the Arctic Ocean

Summary

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Service (NMFS) is seeking public comments on a proposal to allow the U.S. Navy to incidentally take marine mammals during its Ice Exercise 2022 (ICEX22) activities in the Arctic Ocean, north of Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. The Navy has requested authorization under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), and NMFS is also considering a possible one-year renewal of the authorization if all requirements are met.