NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION ISSUES RULE: TAKES OF MARINE MAMMALS INCIDENTAL TO SPECIFIED ACTIVITIES; TAKING MARINE MAMMALS INCIDENTAL TO U.S. NAVY OPERATIONS OF SURVEILLANCE TOWED ARRAY SENSOR SYSTEM LOW FREQUENCY ACTIVE SONAR IN THE WESTERN AND CENTRAL NORTH PACIFIC OCEAN AND EASTERN INDIAN OCEAN

WASHINGTON, July 28 -- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued a rule called: Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to U.S. Navy Operations of Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System Low Frequency Active Sonar in the Western and Central North Pacific Ocean and Eastern Indian Ocean.

The rule was published in the Federal Register on July 28 by Samuel D. Rauch III, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service.

Summary: NMFS, upon request from the U.S. Department of the Navy (Navy), issues these regulations pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) to govern the taking of marine mammals incidental to training and tes...