Opportunity
Federal Register #2026-13171
NOAA Permit Application for Marine Mammal Research (41 Cetacean, 6 Pinniped Species)
Buyer
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Posted
June 30, 2026
Respond By
July 30, 2026
Identifier
2026-13171
NAICS
541715
This opportunity involves a permit application for marine mammal research led by the NMFS Southwest Fisheries Science Center under NOAA, Department of Commerce. - Government Buyer: - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - Department of Commerce - NMFS Southwest Fisheries Science Center - Scope of Research: - Research on 41 cetacean species and 6 pinniped species in U.S. and international waters of the Pacific and Southern Oceans - Includes ESA-listed species such as blue, fin, gray, humpback, killer, North Pacific right, sei, Southern right, and sperm whales, and Guadalupe fur seals - Research Activities: - Vessel and aerial surveys - Use of uncrewed aircraft systems - Photography, videography, and photogrammetry - Passive acoustic recordings - Biological sampling (blow, feces, sloughed skin, biopsies) - Tagging - Salvage, import, and export of marine mammal parts for analysis and curation - Unique Requirements: - Permit covers a broad range of research methods and species, including endangered marine mammals - Duration of permit requested is 10 years - No OEMs, vendors, or product procurement specified in this notice
Description
The NMFS Southwest Fisheries Science Center has applied for a permit to conduct research on marine mammals under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and related regulations. The research will cover 41 species of cetaceans and 6 species of pinnipeds in U.S. and international waters of the Pacific and Southern Oceans, including ESA-listed species. The study aims to assess abundance, distribution, movements, survival, reproduction, health, behavior, acoustics, demography, and stock structure using various survey and sampling methods. The permit is requested for 10 years and includes activities such as vessel and aerial surveys, biological sampling, tagging, and salvage of marine mammal parts. Written comments on the application must be received by July 30, 2026.