Federal Register #2026-07536

NOAA Rule on Incidental Taking of Marine Mammals During Geophysical Surveys in the Gulf of America

This opportunity concerns NOAA's regulatory framework for incidental taking of marine mammals during geophysical surveys in the Gulf of America: - Government Buyer: - Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of Protected Resources - Scope and Coverage: - Authorizes survey operators to incidentally take marine mammals during oil and gas geophysical surveys in the Gulf of America - Applies to all operators conducting such surveys; no specific OEMs or vendors are named - Products/Services Requested: - Incidental Take Authorization for Marine Mammals during Geophysical Survey Activities - Includes requirements for mitigation (e.g., exclusion zones, shutdowns), monitoring (e.g., passive acoustic monitoring), and reporting - Notable Requirements: - Strict mitigation measures: exclusion zones, shutdown procedures, vessel strike avoidance, and seasonal restrictions for certain species - Annual reporting and adaptive management to adjust mitigation as needed - Focus on protecting species such as Rices whale, sperm whale, beaked whales, Kogia spp., and bottlenose dolphins - Period of Performance: - Five-year authorization window - Place of Performance: - U.S. waters in the Gulf of America, including core habitat areas for protected species - No specific products, part numbers, or OEMs are identified, as the rule governs operational activities rather than procurement of goods.

Description

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) promulgates regulations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act to govern the incidental taking of marine mammals during geophysical survey activities in the Gulf of America. These regulations authorize survey operators to incidentally take marine mammals over a five-year period, prescribing methods to minimize impacts and requirements for monitoring and reporting. The rule is effective from April 20, 2026, through April 19, 2031, and aims to balance geophysical survey needs with marine mammal protection.

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