Federal Register #2026-06854

NOAA Proposes Incidental Harassment Authorization for Marine Geophysical Survey in Western Central Atlantic Ocean

This opportunity involves NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of Protected Resources, proposing to issue an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) for a marine geophysical survey in the Western Central Atlantic Ocean. - Government Buyer: - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of Protected Resources - OEMs and Vendors Mentioned: - Kongsberg - Knudsen - Teledyne - Products/Services Requested: - Authorization for Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO) to conduct a marine geophysical seismic survey - Use of a 36-airgun array (6,600 in³ total discharge volume) towed by the R/V Marcus G. Langseth - Deployment of ocean bottom seismometers (OBS) - Use of Kongsberg EM 122 multibeam echosounder (MBES) - Use of Knudsen Chirp 3260 sub-bottom profiler (SBP) - Use of Teledyne RDI Ocean Surveyor ADCP - Seismic reflection and refraction data collection - Unique or Notable Requirements: - Authorization covers incidental take of marine mammals under the Marine Mammal Protection Act - Mitigation and monitoring measures required, including vessel-based visual and acoustic protected species observers (PSOs), shutdown zones, and vessel strike avoidance - Public comments are requested on the proposed authorization and a possible one-time, 1-year renewal - Survey planned for approximately 42 days, including 20 days of seismic operations - Place of Performance: - Western Central Atlantic Ocean, off the Eastern North American Margin - Port of departure and return: Charleston, South Carolina - Contracting office: Office of Protected Resources, NMFS - No specific product quantities or part numbers are being procured; the notice is for regulatory authorization of survey activities, not equipment acquisition.

Description

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has received a request from the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University for authorization to incidentally take marine mammals during a marine geophysical survey off the Eastern North American Margin in the Western Central Atlantic Ocean. The survey involves seismic reflection and refraction data collection using a 36-airgun array and other acoustic equipment. NMFS is proposing to issue an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and is seeking public comments on the proposed authorization and a possible one-time, 1-year renewal. The authorization aims to ensure negligible impact on marine mammal species and stocks while allowing the scientific survey to proceed with mitigation and monitoring measures in place.

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