Taking of Endangered and Threatened Marine Mammals Incidental to Commercial Fishing Operations; Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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NMFS has received a request from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Massachusetts) for a general incidental take permit under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for northern right whales incidental to commercial fishing activities within Massachusetts' territorial waters, and a small take authorization for the same species and activity under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). At this time, NMFS is providing the public with an advance opportunity to review these applications. NMFS also is providing background information, issuing certain suggestions and preliminary determinations, and identifying important issues raised by these applications in an attempt to describe the issues accurately, efficiently and formally in the public forum.