Assistant Administrator

• Main Authors: S~lver Spnng Maryl, For Fisheries
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: Arctic; Arctic Ocean
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.183.9754; http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/permits/shell_arctic_seismic_ea.pdf

SUMMARY: A Supplemental Environmental Assessment (S-EA) has been prepared that examines the environmental consequences of issuing an authorization, under seciion 131 ja)(S)(D) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, for the harassment of several species of marine mammats incidental to conducting marine seismic surveys in the Arctic Ocean during the smer and fall, 2007 and into the early summer 2008 open water seismic survey season. The principal means of taking by th~s activity is expected to be disturbance by seismic noise. The National Mai-ine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries Service) has determined that the single seismic suwey action will have a negligible impact on the affected species or stocks of marine mammals uid will not have an umitigable adverse impact on the availability of the species or stock@) for srbsistmce uses provided the permissible methods of taking and requirements pertaining to the miligation, monitoring and reporting of sv.ch takings are implemented. The NOA4 Fisheries Service has determined that the impact of corlducring seismic surveys in thls area will resuh- in, zt worst, a temporary modification in behavior by certain species of marine mammals, principaliy hjwhead and gray whales, and ringed, bearded and spotted seals. While behavioral reactions and srea avoidance by individuals may be made as a result of the onset and persister,ce of seismic noises, this behai~ioral change rs expected to have a negligible impact on the affected species or stocks of marine rr,ammals. RESPONSIBLE OFFICIAL: William T. Hogarth, Ph-D.