Incidental Takes of Marine Mammals During Specified Activities; Seabird and Pinniped Research Activities in Central California

摘要

In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as amended, regulations, NMFS has received an application from PRBO Conservation Science (PRBO) for an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to take small numbers of marine mammals, by incidental harassment, while conducting proposed seabird and pinniped research activities on Southeast Farallon Island, A[ntilde]o Nuevo Island, and Point Reyes National Seashore in central California. Pursuant to the MMPA, NMFS requests comments on its proposal to authorize PRBO to incidentally take, by Level B harassment only, small numbers of marine mammals, at Southeast Farallon Island, A[ntilde]o Nuevo Island, and Point Reyes National Seashore for one year. Since the proposed activities would occur in the vicinity of pinniped haul out sites, marine mammals could be disturbed as a result of seabird research and human presence; therefore, PRBO has requested an IHA.