[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 201 (Thursday, October 21, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58434-58472]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-22858]



[[Page 58433]]

Vol. 86

Thursday,

No. 201

October 21, 2021

Part III





Department of Commerce





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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration





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50 CFR Part 219





Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking 
Marine Mammals Incidental to Northeast Fisheries Science Center 
Fisheries and Ecosystem Research; Final Rule

  Federal Register / Vol. 86 , No. 201 / Thursday, October 21, 2021 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 58434]]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 219

[Docket No. 210823-0166]
RIN 0648-BK39


Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; 
Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Northeast Fisheries Science Center 
Fisheries and Ecosystem Research

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Final rule; notice of issuance of Letter of Authorization (LOA)

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SUMMARY: NMFS' Office of Protected Resources (OPR), upon request from 
NMFS' Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC), hereby issues 
regulations to govern the unintentional taking of marine mammals 
incidental to fisheries research conducted in multiple specified 
geographical regions over the course of 5 years. These regulations, 
which allow for the issuance of Letters of Authorization (LOA) for the 
incidental take of marine mammals during the described activities and 
specified timeframes, prescribe the permissible methods of taking and 
other means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on marine 
mammal species or stocks and their habitat, as well as requirements 
pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of such taking. Upon 
publication of this final rule, NMFS will issue an LOA to NEFSC for the 
effective period of the final rule.

DATES: Effective from October 21, 2021, through October 21, 2026.

ADDRESSES: A copy of NEFSC's application and supporting documents, as 
well as a list of the references cited in this document, may be 
obtained online at: www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/incidental-take-authorization-noaa-southwest-fisheries-science-center-fisheries-and. In 
case of problems accessing these documents, please call the contact 
listed below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jaclyn Daly, Office of Protected 
Resources, NMFS, (301) 427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Purpose and Need for Regulatory Action

    These regulations establish a framework under the authority of the 
MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) to allow for the authorization of take of 
marine mammals incidental to the NEFSC's fisheries research activities 
in the Atlantic Ocean.
    We received an application from the NEFSC requesting 5-year 
regulations and authorization to take multiple species of marine 
mammals. Take would occur by Level B harassment incidental to the use 
of active acoustic devices, as well as by visual disturbance of 
pinnipeds in the Antarctic, and by Level A harassment, serious injury, 
or mortality incidental to the use of fisheries research gear. Please 
see ``Background'' below for definitions of harassment.

Legal Authority for the Action

    Section 101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1371(a)(5)(A)) directs 
the Secretary of Commerce to allow, upon request, the incidental, but 
not intentional taking of small numbers of marine mammals by U.S. 
citizens who engage in a specified activity (other than commercial 
fishing) within a specified geographical region for up to 5 years if, 
after notice and public comment, the agency makes certain findings and 
issues regulations that set forth permissible methods of taking 
pursuant to that activity and other means of effecting the ``least 
practicable adverse impact'' on the affected species or stocks and 
their habitat (see the discussion below in the Mitigation section), as 
well as monitoring and reporting requirements. Section 101(a)(5)(A) of 
the MMPA and the implementing regulations at 50 CFR part 216, subpart I 
provide the legal basis for issuing this rule containing 5-year 
regulations, and for any subsequent LOAs. As directed by this legal 
authority, this rule contains mitigation, monitoring, and reporting 
requirements.

Summary of Major Provisions Within the Regulations

    The following provides a summary the major provisions within this 
rulemaking for the NEFSC fisheries research activities in the Northwest 
Atlantic Ocean. They include, but are not limited to:
     Training scientists and vessel crew in marine mammal 
detection and identification, rule compliance, and marine mammal 
handling.
     Monitoring of the sampling areas to detect the presence of 
marine mammals before gear deployment and while gear is in the water.
     Implementing standard tow durations to reduce the 
likelihood of incidental take of marine mammals.
     Implementing the mitigation strategy known as the ``move-
on rule,'' which incorporates best professional judgment, when 
necessary during fisheries research.
     Removing gear from water if marine mammals are at-risk or 
interact with gear.
     Complying with applicable vessel speed restrictions and 
separation distances from marine mammals.
     Complying with applicable and relevant take reduction 
plans for marine mammals.

Background

    The MMPA prohibits the ``take'' of marine mammals, with certain 
exceptions. Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 
et seq.) direct the Secretary of Commerce (as delegated to NMFS) to 
allow, upon request, the incidental, but not intentional, taking of 
small numbers of marine mammals by U.S. citizens who engage in a 
specified activity (other than commercial fishing) within a specified 
geographical region if certain findings are made and either regulations 
are issued or, if the taking is limited to harassment, a notice of a 
proposed incidental take authorization may be provided to the public 
for review.
    Authorization for incidental takings shall be granted if NMFS finds 
that the taking will have a negligible impact on the species or 
stock(s) and will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the 
availability of the species or stock(s) for taking for subsistence uses 
(where relevant). Further, NMFS must prescribe the permissible methods 
of taking and other ``means of effecting the least practicable adverse 
impact'' on the affected species or stocks and their habitat, paying 
particular attention to rookeries, mating grounds, and areas of similar 
significance, and on the availability of the species or stocks for 
taking for certain subsistence uses (referred to in shorthand as 
``mitigation''); and requirements pertaining to the mitigation, 
monitoring and reporting of the takings are set forth. The definitions 
of all applicable MMPA statutory terms cited above are included in the 
relevant sections below.

Summary of Request

    On September 2, 2020, NMFS received an application from NEFSC 
requesting promulgation of regulations and issuance of a 5-year LOA to 
take marine mammals incidental to fisheries and ecosystem research in 
the Atlantic Ocean. NEFSC subsequently submitted revised applications 
on October 29, 2020; November 19, 2020; and December 3, 2020. The 
December application was deemed adequate and complete on December 9, 
2020. In accordance with the MMPA, we

[[Page 58435]]

published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register on 
June 4, 2021 (86 FR 30080), and requested comments and information from 
the public. We did not receive any comments on the proposed rule.
    These regulations are the second consecutive 5-year incidental take 
regulations issued in response to a petition from NEFSC. The initial 
regulations were finalized in 2016 and are effective through September 
9, 2021 (81 FR 53061; August 11, 2016). A 5-year LOA was issued to 
NEFSC pursuant to those regulations (81 FR 64442, September 20, 2016); 
that LOA expires September 9, 2021. To date, NEFSC has complied with 
all the requirements (e.g., mitigation, monitoring, and reporting) of 
the current LOA and did not exceed authorized take for a species. NEFSC 
annual monitoring reports can be found at www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/incidental-take-authorization-noaa-fisheries-nefsc-fisheries-and-ecosystem-research.
    The LOA issued under this final rule authorizes take of a small 
number of 10 species of marine mammals by mortality or serious injury 
incidental to gear interaction and 32 species or stocks by Level B 
harassment incidental to use of active acoustic devices during 
fisheries and ecosystem research.

Description of Proposed Activity

Overview

    The NEFSC is the research arm of NMFS in the Greater Atlantic 
Region (Maine to Virginia). The NEFSC plans, develops, and manages a 
multidisciplinary program of basic and applied research to generate the 
information necessary for the conservation and management of the 
region's living marine resources, including the region's marine and 
anadromous fish and invertebrate populations to ensure they remain at 
sustainable and healthy levels. The NEFSC collects a wide array of 
information necessary to evaluate the status of exploited fishery 
resources and the marine environment from fishery independent (i.e., 
non-commercial or recreational fishing) platforms. Surveys are 
conducted from NOAA-owned and operated vessels, NOAA chartered vessels, 
or research partner-owned or chartered vessels in the state and Federal 
waters of the Atlantic Ocean from Maine to Florida.
    The NEFSC plans to administer, fund, or conduct 59 fisheries and 
ecosystem research survey programs over the 5-year period the 
regulations would be effective (Table 1). Of the 59 surveys, only 42 
involve gear and equipment with the potential to take marine mammals. 
Gear types include towed trawl nets fished at various levels in the 
water column, dredges, gillnets, traps, longline and other hook and 
line gear. Surveys using any type of seine net (e.g., gillnets), trawl 
net, or hook and line (e.g., longlines) have the potential for marine 
mammal interaction (e.g., entanglement, hooking) resulting in mortality 
or serious injury (M/SI). In addition, the NEFSC conducts hydrographic, 
oceanographic, and meteorological sampling concurrent with many of 
these surveys which requires the use of active acoustic devices (e.g., 
side-scan sonar, echosounders). These active sonars result in elevated 
sound levels in the water column, potentially causing behavioral 
disturbance rising to the level of harassment (Level B).

Dates and Duration

    NEFSC would conduct research year-round; however, certain surveys 
would occur seasonally (Table 1). The regulations and associated LOA 
would be valid for 5 years from date of issuance.

Specified Geographical Region

    The NEFSC would conduct fisheries research activities off of the 
U.S. Atlantic coast within the Northeast U.S. Continental Shelf Large 
Marine Ecosystem (NE LME), an area defined as the 200 miles (322 km) 
off the shoreline and reaching from the U.S.-Canada border to Cape 
Hatteras (Figure 1). The NE LME is divided into four areas: the Gulf of 
Maine (GOM), Georges Bank (GB), Southern New England (SNE), and the 
Mid-Atlantic Bight (MAB). A small number of NEFSC surveys into the 
Southeast U.S. Continental Shelf LME (SE LME) and, rarely, north into 
the Scotian Shelf LME. Detailed descriptions of the NEFSC's research 
areas were provided in the notice of proposed rulemaking (86 FR 30080, 
June 4, 2021). Those descriptions remain accurate and sufficient, and 
we refer the reader to that notice rather than reprinting the 
information here.
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR21OC21.001

BILLING CODE 3510-22-C

Detailed Description of Specific Activity

    A detailed description of NEFSC's planned activities was provided 
in the notice of proposed rulemaking (86 FR 30080, June 4, 2021) and is 
not repeated here except for the list of surveys provided in Table 1. 
No changes have been made to the specified activities described 
therein.

[[Page 58437]]



                                                                       Table 1--Proposed NEFSC Fisheries Research Surveys
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                                                                                                                                                                                       Potential
           Project name                      Survey description                    Gear              Specific gear      Area of operation          Season         Annual days at sea   for take
                                                                                                                                                                        (DAS)            (Y/N)
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                                                                                       Long-Term Research
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Benthic Habitat Survey...........  Assess habitat distribution and         Bottom Trawl........  Conductivity,         Georges Bank (GB)..  Summer or Fall.....  20.................          Y
                                    condition, including disturbance by                           Temperature, and
                                    commercial fishing and changes as the                         Depth (CTD), Van
                                    benthic ecosystem recovers from                               Veen, Plankton
                                    chronic fishing impacts. Also serves                          trap, Beam Trawl,
                                    to collect data on seasonal migration                         Dredge, Camera,
                                    of benthic species, collect bottom                            Sonar.
                                    data for mapping, and provide
                                    indications of climate change through
                                    species shifts.
Fish Collection for Laboratory     Trawling/hook and line collection       Bottom Trawl........  Net and twine shrimp  New York Bight,      April-November.....  10.................          Y
 Experiments.                       operations undertake to capture high                          trawl, fishing        Sandy Hook Bay.
                                    quality fish for laboratory                                   poles.
                                    experiments.
Habitat Mapping Survey...........  Map shallow reef habitats of fisheries  Bottom Trawl........  4-seam, 3 bridle      Ocean Shelf off MD.  Summer.............  11.................          Y
                                    resource species, including warm                              bottom trawl, beam
                                    season habitats of black sea bass,                            trawl, CTD, Van
                                    and locate sensitive habitats (e.g.,                          Veen, Plankton
                                    shallow temperate coral habitats) for                         trap, dredge,
                                    habitat conservation.                                         camera, sonar.
Living Marine Resources Survey...  Determine the distribution, abundance,  Bottom Trawl........  4-seam, 3 bridle      Cape Hatteras to NJ  Spring.............  11.................          Y
                                    and recruitment patterns for multiple                         bottom trawl, beam
                                    species.                                                      trawl, CTD, Van
                                                                                                  Veen, sonar.
Massachusetts Division of Marine   The objective of this project is to     Bottom Trawl........  Otter trawl.........  Territorial waters   Spring and Fall....  60-72..............          Y
 Fisheries Bottom Trawl Surveys.    track mature animals and determine                                                  from RI to NH
                                    juvenile abundance.                                                                 borders.
NEAMAP Near Shore Trawl Program--  This project provides data collection   Bottom Trawl........  Modified GoM shrimp   U.S.-Canada to NH-   Spring and Fall....  30-50..............          Y
 Northern Segment.                  and analysis in support of single and                         otter trawl.          MA border from
                                    multi-species stock assessments Gulf                                                shore to 300 ft
                                    of Maine. It includes the Maine/New                                                 depth.
                                    Hampshire inshore trawl program,
                                    conducted by Maine Department of
                                    Marine Resources (MDMR) in the
                                    northern segment.
NEAMAP Near Shore Trawl Program--  This project provides data collection   Bottom Trawl........  4-seam, 3-bridle net  Montauk, NY to Cape  Spring and Fall....  30-50..............          Y
 Southern Segment.                  and analysis in support of single and                         bottom trawl cookie   Hatteras, NC from
                                    multispecies stock assessments in the                         sweep.                20 to 90 ft depth.
                                    Mid-Atlantic. It includes the inshore
                                    trawl program NEAMAP Mid-Atlantic to
                                    Southern New England survey,
                                    conducted by Virginia Institute of
                                    Marine Science, College of William
                                    and Mary (VIMS) in the southern
                                    segment.
NEFOP Observer Bottom Trawl        Certification training for new NEFOP    Bottom Trawl........  Contracted vessels'   Mid-Atlantic Bight   April-November (as   18.................          Y
 Training Trips.                    Observers.                                                    trawl gear.           (MAB) and GB.        needed), day trips.
NEFSC Northern Shrimp Survey.....  The objective of this project is to     Bottom Trawl........  4 seam modified       GOM................  Summer.............  22.................          Y
                                    determine the distribution and                                commercial shrimp
                                    abundance of northern shrimp and                              trawl, positional
                                    collect related data.                                         sensors, mini-log,
                                                                                                  CTD.
NEFSC Standard Bottom Trawl        This project monitors abundance and     Bottom Trawl........  4-seam, 3-bridle      Cape Hatteras to     Spring and Fall....  120................          Y
 Surveys (BTS).                     distribution of mature and juvenile                           bottom trawl.         Western Scotian
                                    fish and invertebrates.                                                             Shelf.
NEFSC Bottom Trawl Survey Gear     Testing and efficiency evaluation of    Bottom Trawl........  4-seam, 3-bridle      Cape Hatteras to     Fall...............  14-20..............          Y
 Trials.                            the standardized 4-seam, 3-bridle                             bottom trawl, twin    Western Scotian
                                    bottom trawl (doors, sweeps,                                  trawls.               Shelf.
                                    protocols).

[[Page 58438]]

 
Atlantic Herring Survey..........  This operation collects fisheries-      Pelagic Trawl.......  4-seam, 3-bridle net  GOM and Northern GB  Fall...............  34.................          Y
                                    independent herring spawning biomass                          bottom trawl,
                                    data and also includes survey                                 midwater rope
                                    equipment calibration and performance                         trawl, acoustics.
                                    tests.
Atlantic Salmon Trawl Survey.....  This is a targeted research effort to   Pelagic Trawl.......  Modified mid-water    Inshore and          Spring.............  21.................          Y
                                    evaluate the marine ecology of                                trawl that fishes     offshore GOM.
                                    Atlantic salmon.                                              at the surface via
                                                                                                  pair trawling.
Deepwater Biodiversity...........  This project collects fish, cephalopod  Pelagic Trawl.......  Deep-Sea acoustic/    Western North        Summer or Fall.....  16.................          Y
                                    and crustacean specimens from 500 to                          optic/ocean           Atlantic.
                                    2,000 m for tissue samples, specimen                          ographic/eDNA
                                    photos, and documentation of                                  system, trawl
                                    systematic characterization.                                  camera system.
Penobscot Estuarine Fish           The objective of this project is fish   Pelagic Trawl.......  Mamou shrimp trawl    Penobscot Estuary    Spring, Summer and   12.................          Y
 Community and Ecosystem Survey.    and invertebrate sampling for                                 modified to fish at   and Bay, ME.         Fall.
                                    biometric and population analysis of                          surface.
                                    estuarine and coastal species.
Northeast Integrated Pelagic       The objective of this project is to     Pelagic Trawl.......  Mid-water trawls,     Cape Hatteras to     Summer and Fall....  80.................          Y
 Survey.                            assess the pelagic components of the                          bong nets, CTD,       Western Scotian
                                    ecosystem including water currents,                           Acoustic Doppler      Shelf.
                                    water properties, phytoplankton,                              Profiler (ADCP),
                                    micro-zooplankton, mesozooplankton,                           acoustics.
                                    pelagic fish and invertebrates, sea
                                    turtles, marine mammals, and sea
                                    birds.
NEFOP Observer Mid-Water Trawl     This program provides certification     Pelagic Trawl.......  Various commercial    MAB and GB.........  April-November as    5..................          Y
 Training Trip.                     training for NEFOP Observers.                                 nets.                                      needed (day trips).
Apex Predators Pelagic Longline    The objectives of this survey are to:   Longline............  Yankee and current    MD to Canada.......  Spring.............  30.................          Y
 Shark Survey.                      (1) Monitor the species composition,                          commercial pelagic
                                    distribution, and abundance of                                longline gear.
                                    pelagic sharks in the U.S. Atlantic                           Configured
                                    from Maryland to Canada; (2) tag                              according to NMFS
                                    sharks for migration and age                                  HMS Regulations.
                                    validation studies; (3) collect
                                    morphological data and biological
                                    samples for age and growth, feeding
                                    ecology, and reproductive studies;
                                    and (4) provide time-series of
                                    abundance from this survey for use in
                                    Atlantic pelagic shark assessments.
Apex Predators Bottom Longline     . The objectives of this survey are     Longline............  Florida style bottom  RI to FL within 40   Spring.............  47.................          Y
 Coastal Shark Survey.              to: (1) Monitor the species                                   longline.             fathoms.
                                    composition, distribution, and
                                    abundance of sharks in coastal
                                    Atlantic waters from Florida to
                                    Delaware; (2) tag sharks for
                                    migration and age validation studies;
                                    (3) collect morphometric data and
                                    biological samples for age and
                                    growth, feeding ecology, and
                                    reproductive studies; and (4) provide
                                    time-series of abundance from this
                                    survey for use in Atlantic coastal
                                    shark assessments.

[[Page 58439]]

 
Apex Predators Pelagic Nursery     This project uses opportunistic         Longline............  Standard commercial   GB to Grand Banks    Fall...............  21-55..............          Y
 Grounds Study.                     sampling on board a commercial                                pelagic longline      off Newfoundland,
                                    swordfish longline vessel to: (1)                             gear. Configured      Canada.
                                    Monitor the species composition and                           according to NMFS
                                    distribution of juvenile pelagic                              Highly Migratory
                                    sharks on the Grand Banks; (2) tag                            Species (HMS)
                                    sharks for migration and age                                  Regulations.
                                    validation studies; and (3) collect
                                    morphometric data and biological
                                    samples for age and growth, feeding
                                    ecology, and reproductive studies.
                                    Data from this survey helps determine
                                    the location of pelagic shark
                                    nurseries for use in updating
                                    essential fish habitat designations.
Cooperative Atlantic States Shark  This project determines the location    Longline and Gillnet  Bottom Longline       FL to RI...........  Summer.............  25 or 40...........          Y
 Pupping and Nursery (COASTSPAN)    of shark nurseries, species                                   Gear, Anchored
 Longline and Gillnet Surveys.      composition, relative abundance,                              Sinking Gillnet.
                                    distribution, and migration patterns.
                                    It is used to identify and refine
                                    essential fish habitat and provides
                                    standardized indices of abundance by
                                    species used in multiple species
                                    specific stock assessments. NEFSC
                                    conducts surveys in Delaware, New
                                    Jersey, and Rhode Island estuarine
                                    and coastal waters. Other areas are
                                    surveyed by cooperating institutions
                                    and agencies. In the NE Large Marine
                                    Ecosystem (LME), the Virginia
                                    Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) is
                                    a cooperating partner. South of Cape
                                    Hatteras the South Carolina
                                    Department of Natural Resources
                                    (SCDNR), University of North Florida
                                    (UNF), and Florida Atlantic
                                    University (FAU) are partners.
Cooperative Research Gulf of       The objective of this project is to     COOP Western-Central  Longline............  Western GOM focused  Spring and Fall....  60 stations/year             Y
 Maine Longline Project.            conduct commercial cooperative bottom   Gulf of Maine hard                          on sea mounts.                            eastern Maine, 90
                                    longline sets to characterize           bottom longline                                                                       stations/year
                                    demersal species of the Western Gulf    survey.                                                                               western-central
                                    of Maine traditionally difficult to                                                                                           GOM.
                                    capture with traditional or research
                                    trawl gear due to the bottom
                                    topography.
NEFOP Observer Bottom Longline     This program provides certification     Longline............  Commercial bottom     MAB and GB.........  April-November as    5..................          Y
 Training Trips.                    training for NEFOP observers.                                 longline gear.                             needed (day trips).
Annual Assessments of Sea Scallop  These Atlantic Sea Scallop Research     Dredge..............  Scallop dredges,      GPM, Georges Bank,   Dredge surveys Apr-  50-100.............          N
 Abundance and Distribution.        Set-Aside (RSA) rotational area                               drop cameras, Other   Mid-Atlantic.        Sept, Camera
                                    surveys endeavor to monitor scallop                           Habitat Camera                             surveys June-Sept.
                                    biomass and derive estimates of Total                         (HabCam) Versions.
                                    Allowable Catch (TAC) for annual
                                    scallop catch specifications.
                                    Additionally, the surveys monitor
                                    recruitment, growth, and other
                                    biological parameters such as meat
                                    weight, shell height and gonadal
                                    somatic indices.
NEFOP Observer Scallop Dredge      This program provides certification     Dredge..............  Turtle deflector      MAB and GB.........  April-November as    6..................          N
 Training Trips.                    training for NEFOP observers.                                 dredge.                                    needed (day trips).

[[Page 58440]]

 
Annual Standardized Sea Scallop    The objective of this project is to     Dredge..............  New Bedford dredge,   NC to GB...........  Summer.............  36.................          N
 Survey.                            determine distribution and abundance                          HabCam V4.
                                    of sea scallops and collect related
                                    data for Ecosystem Management from
                                    concurrent stereo-optic images. It is
                                    conducted by the NEFSC.
Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Dredge   The objective of this project is to     Dredge..............  Hydraulic-jet dredge  Southern VA to GB..  Summer.............  15.................          N
 Survey.                            determine distribution and abundance
                                    of Surfclam/ocean quahog and collect
                                    related data.
Coastal Maine Telemetry Network..  The objective of this project is to     Other...............  Fixed position        Penobscot River      Year round in GOM    10.................          Y
                                    monitor tagged animals entering the                           acoustic telemetry    estuary and bay,     and Apr.-Nov. in
                                    Penobscot Bay System and exiting the                          array receivers on    GOM.                 nearshore areas.
                                    system into the Gulf of Maine.                                moorings spaced 250-
                                                                                                  400 m apart.
Deep-sea Coral Survey............  The objective of this program is to     Other...............  Remotely Operated     Continental shelf    Summer.............  16.................          Y
                                    determine the species diversity,                              Vehicles (ROVs),      margin, slope, and
                                    community composition, distribution                           CTD, towed cameras,   submarine canyons
                                    and extent of deep sea coral and                              ADCP, acoustics.      and deep basins:
                                    sponge habitats.                                                                    GOM to Virginia.
Diving Operations................  The objective of this project is to     Other...............  Wire mesh cages,      Long Island Sound..  Year round.........  20.................          N
                                    collect growth data on hard clams,                            lantern nets.
                                    oysters and bay scallops.
Gulf of Maine Ocean Observing      This project services oceanographic     Other...............  ADCP on vessel and    GOM and Northern GB  Summer.............  12.................          N
 System Mooring Cruise.             moorings operated by the University                           moorings.
                                    of Maine.
Hydroacoustics Surveys...........  This project consists of mobile         Acoustic only.......  Split-beam and        Penobscot Bay and    Spring.............  25.................          Y
                                    transects conducted throughout the                            DIDSON.               estuary.
                                    estuary and bay to study fish biomass
                                    and distribution.
Marine Estuaries Diadromous        This project is a fish community        Other...............  1 m and 2 m fyke      Penobscot Bay and    April-November.....  100................          N
 Survey.                            survey at fixed locations.                                    nets.                 estuary.
NEFOP Observer Gillnet Training    This program provides certification     Other...............  gillnet gear........  MAB and GB.........  April-November as    10.................          N
 Trips.                             training for NEFOP Observers.                                                                            needed (day trips).
Nutrients and Frontal Boundaries.  The objective of this project is to     Other...............  ADP, CTD,             MAB................  Feb., May-June,      10.................          N
                                    characterize nutrient patterns                                Hydroacoustics.                            Aug, and Nov.
                                    associated with distinct water masses
                                    and their boundaries off of coastal
                                    New Jersey and Long Island in
                                    association with biological sampling.
Ocean Acidification..............  The objective of this project is to     Other...............  CTD, YSI,             Hudson River         Spring.............  10.................          N
                                    develop baseline pH measurements in                           multinutrient         Coastal waters.
                                    the Hudson River water.                                       analyzer, Kemmerer
                                                                                                  bottle.
AUV Pilot Studies................  This program provides gear and          Other...............  AUV.................  MA state waters, GB  June...............  5..................          N
                                    platform testing.
Rotary Screw Trap (RSTs) Survey..  This project is designed to collect     Other...............  RST.................  Estuaries on         April 15-June 15...  60.................          N
                                    abundance estimates of Migrating                                                    coastal Maine
                                    Atlantic salmon smolts and other                                                    rivers.
                                    anadromous species.
Trawling to Support Finfish        The objective of this project is to     Other...............  Combination bottom    Long Island Sound..  Summer.............  30.................          Y
 Aquaculture Research.              collect broodstock for laboratory                             trawl, shrimp
                                    spawning and rearing and experimental                         trawl, gillnet.
                                    studies.
DelMarVa Habitat Characterization  The objective of this project is to     Other...............  ADCP, CTD, YSI,       Coastal waters off   August.............  5..................          N
                                    characterize and determine key hard                           Plankton net, video   DE, MD and VA.
                                    bottom habitats in coastal ocean off                          sled, Ponar grab,
                                    the DelMarVa Peninsula as an adjunct                          Kemmerer bottle,
                                    to the DelMarVa Reef Survey.                                  sonar.

[[Page 58441]]

 
DelMarVa Reefs Survey............  The objective of this project is        Other...............  HABCAM, CTD.........  Coastal waters off   August.............  5..................          N
                                    determination of extent and                                                         DE, MD and VA.
                                    distribution of rock outcrops and
                                    coral habitats and their use by black
                                    sea bass and other reef Fishes.
Miscellaneous Fish Collections     The James J. Howard Sandy Hook Marine   Other...............  Bottom trawl,         New York Bight       Spring and Fall....  not stated.........          Y
 and Experimental Survey Gear       Laboratory occasionally supports                              lobster and fish      estuary waters.
 Trials.                            short-term research projects                                  pots, beam trawl,
                                    requiring small samples of fish for                           seine net, trammel
                                    various purposes or to test                                   nets.
                                    alterations of survey gear. These
                                    small and sometimes opportunistic
                                    sampling efforts have used a variety
                                    of gear types other than those listed
                                    under Status Quo projects. The gears
                                    and effort levels listed here are
                                    representative of potential requests
                                    for future research support.
Opportunistic Hydrographic         This program consists of opportunistic  Other...............  Plankton net,         Southeast LME        Early Summer.......  not stated.........          N
 Sampling.                          plankton and hydrographic sampling                            expendable            depths <300 m.
                                    during ship transit.                                          bathythermograph.
Monkfish RSA.....................  Monkfish Research Set-Aside (RSA)       Other...............  Commercial gillnets   Mid-Atlantic and     April-December (end  100-200 sets/year.           Y
                                    surveys endeavor to monitor Monkfish                          of various sizes,     Georges Bank.        of fishing year).    Sets left for 2-3
                                    biomass and derive estimates of Total                         short durations for                                             days.
                                    Allowable Catch (TAC) for annual                              sets.
                                    Monkfish catch specifications.
                                    Additionally, the surveys monitor
                                    recruitment, growth, and other
                                    biological parameters.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 Short-Term Cooperative Projects
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Survey Projects..................  Cooperative Industry based surveys to   Trawl...............  Bottom Trawl........  GOM, GB, SNE, MAB..  Summer and Fall....  550 tows/year......          Y
                                    enhance data for flatfish utilizing
                                    cookie sweep gear on commercial
                                    platforms.
Survey Projects..................  Cooperative Industry based              Trawl...............  Pelagic Trawl.......  GOM, GB, SNE, MAB..  Summer and Fall      30 tows/year.......          Y
                                    catchability studies for Monkfish,                                                                       Summer and Fall.
                                    Longfin squid, other.
Trawl Comparison Research........  Twin trawl and paired vessel            Twin Bottom Trawl...  Trawl nets with two   GB, SNE, MAB.......  Summer and Fall....  100 DAS............          Y
                                    comparisons of Standardized Bigelow                           types of sweeps or
                                    Trawl to test rockhopper and cookie                           doors.
                                    sweeps and varying trawl doors
                                    performance on commercial platforms.
Survey Projects..................  Pot and trap catchability studies for   Pot survey..........  Pots and Traps......  SNE, Rhode Island    Spring and fall for  2,650 pot sets/year          Y
                                    Scup and Black Sea bass.                                                            Bight, Nantucket     black sea bass.
                                                                                                                        Sound, MAB waters    Year round for
                                                                                                                        from shore to        scup.
                                                                                                                        shelf edge.
Conservation Engineering Projects  Gear and net conservation Cooperative   Trawl...............  Bottom Trawl........  GOM, GB, SNE, MAB..  Spring, Summer and   ~500 tows per year           Y
                                    work.                                                                                                    Fall.                total for all
                                                                                                                                                                  bottom trawl
                                                                                                                                                                  conservation
                                                                                                                                                                  projects.
Conservation Engineering Projects  Varied gear and efficiency testing of   Trawl...............  Bottom Trawl........  GOM, GB, SNE, MAB..  Spring, Summer and   ...................          Y
                                    fisheries applications.                                                                                  Fall.
Conservation Engineering Projects  Cooperative Squid Trawls and studies    Trawl...............  Bottom Trawl & Beam   GOM, GB, SNE, MAB..  Spring, Summer and   ...................          Y
                                    for squid catchability and                                    trawl.                                     Fall.
                                    selectivity.
Conservation Engineering Projects  Commercial scallop dredge finfish and   Dredge..............  Dredge..............  GB, SNE, MAB.......  April-December (end  >1,700 dredge tows/          N
                                    turtle excluder research. Scallop                                                                        of fishing year).    year for all
                                    dredge finfish and turtle excluder                                                                                            dredge
                                    research.                                                                                                                     conservation
                                                                                                                                                                  projects.

[[Page 58442]]

 
Conservation Engineering Projects  Commercial hydrodynamic turtle          Dredge..............  Hydrodynamic dredge.  GB, SNE, MAB.......  April-December (end  ...................          N
                                    deflector dredge testing.                                                                                of fishing year).
Tagging Projects.................  Winter Flounder tagging projects.       Trawl...............  Bottom Trawl & Otter  Coastal waters in    Spring and Summer..  up to 650 trawls/            Y
                                    Winter flounder migration patterns.                           trawl.                GOM New Hampshire                         year.
                                                                                                                        to Stonington/Mt.
                                                                                                                        Desert Island, ME.
Tagging Projects.................  Spiny dogfish tagging projects. Spiny   Hook & Line; Gillnet  Hook & Line and       GOM and GB waters    Spring, Summer and   Long line: 5 sets/           Y
                                    dogfish tagging north and south of                            Gillnet.              adjacent to Cape     Fall.                trip, 15 total
                                    Cape Cod, and Cusk & NE multi-species                                               Cod, MA.                                  Gillnet: 5 sets/
                                    tagging.                                                                                                                      trip, 15 total.
Tagging Projects.................  Monkfish tagging projects.............  Gillnet.............  Gillnet.............  GOM, SNE, MAB......  September-December.  18-20 DAS, 10 short-         Y
                                                                                                                                                                  duration sets/day,
                                                                                                                                                                  180-200 sets total.
Ropeless Lobster Trap Research...  Research to develop ropeless gear/      Lobster Pots/Traps..  Acoustic/mechanical   GOM, SNE, MAB        Summer and Fall....  50-100 DAS, 500              N
                                    devices to mitigate/eliminate                                 releases for          (Inshore and                              sets, singles and
                                    interactions with protected species                           ropeless lobster      Offshore).                                up to 40 pots per
                                    (whales and turtles) by utilizing                             gear and float                                                  set.
                                    commercial lobster gear.                                      lines.
Rod and Reel Tagging of Atlantic   Use of rod and reel to capture, tag,    Rod and Reel........  Acoustic tags.......  ME, Greenland......  Summer and Fall....  200-500 tags                 N
 Salmon.                            release Atlantic salmon in                                                                                                    applied total.
                                    international and U.S. waters.
Continuous Plankton Recorder       A towed continuous plankton recording   Towed array.........  CPR.................  ME to Nova Scotia..  Summer and Fall....  24 DAS.............          N
 (CPR) Transect Surveys: GOM.       device is deployed from vessels of
                                    opportunity in the Gulf of Maine,
                                    monthly.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Comments and Responses

    We published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal 
Register on June 4, 2021 (86 FR 30080), and requested comments and 
information from the public. During the 30-day comment period, we did 
not receive any substantive public comments.

Changes From Proposed Rule to Final Rule

    There were no substantive changes from proposed rule to final rule; 
however, we have clarified reporting measures (to whom to report and 
when) and carried over two measures that were contained in the preamble 
of the proposed rule that were inadvertently omitted from the proposed 
regulation section. Overall, the final rule is substantively similar to 
the proposed rule.

Description of Marine Mammals in the Area of Specified Activities

    Sections 3 and 4 of NEFSC's LOA application summarize available 
information regarding status and trends, distribution and habitat 
preferences, and behavior and life history, of the potentially affected 
species. Species and stock information is also provided in NMFS' 2015 
proposed rule associated with the current LOA (80 FR 39542; July 9, 
2015), NMFS's 2016 Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment (EA) 
(available at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/incidental-take-authorization-noaa-fisheries-nefsc-fisheries-and-ecosystem-research) 
and, where updates are necessary, NMFS 2021 Final supplemental 
programmatic EA (available at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/incidental-take-authorization-noaa-northeast-fisheries-science-center-fisheries-and). Additional information regarding population trends and 
threats may be found in NMFS's Stock Assessment Reports (SARs; https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-stock-assessments) and more general information about these species 
(e.g., physical and behavioral descriptions) may be found on NMFS's 
website (https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/find-species).
    Table 3 lists all species or stocks for which take is expected and 
authorized for this action, and summarizes information related to the 
population or stock, including regulatory status under the MMPA and 
Endangered Species Act (ESA) and potential biological removal (PBR), 
where known. For taxonomy, we follow Committee on Taxonomy (2020). PBR 
is defined by the MMPA as the maximum number of animals, not including 
natural mortalities, that may be removed from a marine mammal stock 
while allowing that stock to reach or maintain its optimum sustainable 
population (as described in NMFS's SARs). PBR and annual serious injury 
and mortality from anthropogenic sources are included here as gross 
indicators of the status of the species and other threats.
    Marine mammal abundance estimates presented in this document 
represent the total number of individuals that make up a given stock or 
the total number estimated within a particular study or survey area. 
NMFS's stock abundance estimates for most species represent the total 
estimate of individuals within the geographic area, if known, that 
comprises that stock. For some species, this geographic area may extend 
beyond U.S. waters. All managed stocks in this region are assessed in 
NMFS's U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico SARs (e.g., Hayes et al., 
2020). All values presented in Table 3 are the most recent available at 
the time of publication and are available in the draft 2020 SARs 
(available online at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/draft-marine-mammal-stock-assessment-reports).

[[Page 58443]]

    We provided a detailed description on each marine mammal species in 
the notice of proposed rulemaking for this action (86 FR 30080, June 4, 
2020). Since that time, no new information, other than an update to 
North Atlantic right whale abundance (which is included in Table 2) is 
available that impact our analysis and determinations; therefore, that 
information is not repeated here.

                            Table 2--Marine Mammal Present Within the Northeast U.S. Continental Shelf Large Marine Ecosystem
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                          ESA/  MMPA
                                                                                           status;        Stock abundance  (CV,             Total annual
             Common name                  Scientific name              Stock           strategic  (Y/N)     Nmin, most recent     PBR \3\     M/SI \3\
                                                                                             \1\          abundance survey) \2\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Order Cetartiodactyla--Cetacea--Superfamily Mysticeti (baleen whales)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Family Balaenidae (right whales):
    North Atlantic right whale......  Eubalaena glacialis...  Western Atlantic......  E/D; Y             368 (0, 356, 2020)            0.8      \4\ 18.6
                                                                                                          \11\.
Family Balaenopteridae (rorquals):
    Blue whale \5\..................  Balaenoptera musculus.  Western North Atlantic  E/D; Y             Unk (n/a, 402, 1980-          0.8             0
                                                                                                          2008).
    Minke whale.....................  Balaenoptera            Canadian East Coast...  -; N               21,968................        170  \6\ \7\ 10.6
                                       acutorostrata                                                     (0.31, 17,002, 2016)..
                                       acutorostrata.
    Sei whale.......................  B. borealis borealis..  Nova Scotia...........  E/D; Y             6,292 (1.02, 3,098,           6.2       \8\ 1.2
                                                                                                          2016).
    Fin whale.......................  B. physalus physalus..  Western North Atlantic  E/D; Y             6,802 (0.24, 5,573,            11      \9\ 2.35
                                                                                                          2016).
    Humpback whale..................  Megaptera novaeangliae  Gulf of Maine.........  E/D; Y             1,393 (0.15, 1,375,            22       \10\ 58
                                       novaeangliae.                                                      2016).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Superfamily Odontoceti (toothed whales, dolphins, and porpoises)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Family Physeteridae:
    Sperm whale.....................  Physeter macrocephalus  Western North Atlantic  E/D; Y             4,349 (0.28, 3,451,           3.9             0
                                                                                                          2016).
Family Kogiidae:
    Pygmy sperm whale...............  Kogia breviceps.......  Western North Atlantic  -; N               7,750 (0.38, 5,689,            46             0
                                                                                                          2016).
    Dwarf sperm whale...............  K. sima...............  Western North Atlantic  -; N               7,750 (0.38, 5,689,            46             0
                                                                                                          2016).
Family Ziphiidae (beaked whales):
    Northern bottlenose whale.......  Hyperoodon ampullatus.  Western North Atlantic  -; N               Unk...................        Unk             0
    Blainville's beaked whale.......  Mesplodon densirostris  Western North Atlantic  -; N               10,107 (0.27, 8,085,           81           0.2
                                                                                                          2016) \11\.
    Sowerby's beaked whale..........  M. bidens.............  Western North Atlantic  -; N               10,107 (0.27, 8,085,           81             0
                                                                                                          2016) \11\.
    Gervais' beaked whale...........  M. europaeus
    True's beaked whale.............  M. mirus
    Cuvier's beaked whale...........  Ziphius cavirostris...  Western North Atlantic  -; N               5,744 (0.36, 4,282,            43           0.2
                                                                                                          2016).
Family Delphinidae:
    Short-beaked common dolphin.....  Delphinus delphis       Western North Atlantic  -; N               172,825 (0.55,              1,125       \7\ 289
                                       delphis.                                                           112,531, 2007).
    Pygmy killer whale..............  Feresa attenuata......  Western North Atlantic  -; N               Unk...................        Unk           Unk
    Short-finned pilot whale........  Globicephala            Western North Atlantic  -; N               28,924 (0.24, 23,637,         236           160
                                       macrorhynchus.                                                     2016).
    Long-finned pilot whale.........  G. melas..............  Western North Atlantic  -; N               39,215 (0.30, 30,627,         306            21
                                                                                                          2016).
    Risso's dolphin.................  Grampus griseus.......  Western North Atlantic  -; N               35,493 (0.19, 30,289,         303          54.3
                                                                                                          2016).
    Fraser's dolphin................  Lagenodelphis hosei...  Western North Atlantic  -; N               Unk...................        Unk             0
    Atlantic white-sided dolphin....  Lagenorhynchus acutus.  Western North Atlantic  -; N               93,233 (0.71, 54,443,         544            26
                                                                                                          2016).
    White-beaked dolphin............  L. albirostris........  Western North Atlantic  -; N               536,016 (0.31,              4,153             0
                                                                                                          415,344, 2016).
    Killer whale....................  Orcinus orca..........  Western North Atlantic  -; N               Unk...................        Unk             0
    Melon-headed whale..............  Peponocephala electra.  Western North Atlantic  -; N               Unk...................        Unk             0
    Pantropical spotted dolphin.....  Stenella attenuata....  Western North Atlantic  -; N               6,593 (0.52, 4,367,            44             0
                                                                                                          2016).
    Clymene dolphin.................  S. clymene............  Western North Atlantic  -; N               4,237 (1.03, 2,071,            21             0
                                                                                                          2016.
    Striped dolphin.................  S. coeruleoalba.......  Western North Atlantic  -; N               67,036 (0.29, 52,939,         529             0
                                                                                                          2016).
    Atlantic spotted dolphin........  S. frontalis..........  Western North Atlantic  -; N               39,921 (0.27, 32,032,         320             0
                                                                                                          2016).
    Spinner dolphin.................  S. longirostris.......  Western North Atlantic  -; N               4,102 (0.99, 2,045,            20             0
                                                                                                          2016).
    Rough-toothed dolphin...........  Steno bredanensis.....  Western North Atlantic  -; N               136 (1.0, 67, 2016)...        0.7             0
    Bottlenose dolphin..............  Tursiops truncatus      Western North Atlantic  -; N               62,851 (0.23, 51,914,         519            28
                                       truncatus.              (WNA) Offshore.                            2016).
                                                              WNA Northern Migratory  -/D; Y             6,639 (0.41, 4,759,            48     \12\ 1.2-
                                                               Coastal.                                   2016).                                    21.5
Family Phocoenidae (porpoises):
    Harbor porpoise.................  Phocoena phocoena       Gulf of Maine/Bay of    -; N               95,543 (0.31, 74,034,         851       \7\ 217
                                       phocoena.               Fundy Stock.                               2016).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Order Carnivora--Superfamily Pinnipedia
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Family Phocidae (earless seals):
    Gray seal.......................  Halichoerus grypus      Western North Atlantic  -; N               27,131 (0.19, 23,158,       1,389     \7\ 4,729
                                       grypus.                                                            2016).
    Harbor seal.....................  Phoca vitulina          Western North Atlantic  -; N               75,834 (0.15, 66,884,       2,006       \7\ 350
                                       vitulina.                                                          2012).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Endangered Species Act (ESA) status: Endangered (E), Threatened (T)/MMPA status: Depleted (D). A dash (-) indicates that the species is not listed
  under the ESA or designated as depleted under the MMPA. Under the MMPA, a strategic stock is one for which the level of direct human-caused mortality
  exceeds PBR or which is determined to be declining and likely to be listed under the ESA within the foreseeable future. NMFS automatically designates
  any species or stock listed under the ESA as depleted and as a strategic stock under the MMPA.
\2\ NMFS marine mammal stock assessment reports at: www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/sars/. CV is coefficient of variation; Nmin is the minimum estimate of stock
  abundance. In some cases, abundance and PBR is unknown (Unk) and the CV is not applicable.
\3\ These values, found in NMFS' SARs, represent PBR and annual levels of human-caused mortality plus serious injury from all sources combined (e.g.,
  commercial fisheries, subsistence hunting, and ship strike). In some cases PBR is unknown (Unk) because the minimum population size cannot be
  determined. Annual M/SI often cannot be determined precisely and is in some cases presented as a minimum value or as unknown (Unk).

[[Page 58444]]

 
\4\ Total M/SI of 18.6 for this species is model-derived and not broken down by cause. The fishery contribution of 6.85 is observed interactions only.
\5\ Given the small proportion of the distribution range that has been sampled and considering the low number of blue whales encountered and
  photographed, the current data, based on photo-identification, do not allow for an estimate of abundance of this species in the Northwest Atlantic
  with a minimum degree of certainty (Sears et al. 1987; Hammond et al. 1990; Sears et al. 1990; Sears and Calambokidis 2002; Fisheries and Oceans
  Canada 2009).
\6\ The total estimated human-caused mortality and serious injury to the Canadian East Coast minke whale stock is estimated as 10.6 per year (9.15
  attributable to fisheries).
\7\ The NEFSC has historically taken this species in NEFSC research surveys (2004-2015) (see Tables 6-8).
\8\ The total estimated human-caused mortality and serious injury to the Nova Scotia sei whale stock is estimated as 1.2 per year (0.4 attributable to
  fisheries).
\9\ The total estimated human-caused mortality and serious injury to the Western North Atlantic fin whale stock is estimated as 2.35 per year (1.55
  attributable to fisheiries).
\10\ Total M/SI of 58 for this species is model-derived and not broken down by cause. The fishery contribution of 9.5 is observed interactions obly.
\11\ Pace et al., 2021. The total number of this species of beaked whale off the eastern U.S. and Canadian Atlantic coast is unknown, and seasonal
  abundance estimates are not available for this stock. However, several estimates of the undifferentiated complex of beaked whales (Ziphius and
  Mesoplodon spp.) from selected regions are available for select time periods (Barlow et al. 2006) as well as two estimates of Mesoplodon spp. beaked
  whales alone (Waring et al., 2015).
\12\ The Northern migratory stock of common bottlenose dolphins may interact with unobserved fisheries. Therefore, a range of human-caused mortality and
  serious injury for this stock is presented.

Potential Effects of Specified Activities on Marine Mammals and Their 
Habitat

    Detailed descriptions of the potential effects of the various 
elements of the NEFSC's specified activity on marine mammals and their 
habitat were provided in the proposed rule (86 FR 30080, June 4, 2021) 
as well as the 2016 Programmatic EA. Additionally, detailed 
descriptions of the potential effects of similar specified activities 
have also been provided in other Federal Register notices (e.g., 81 FR 
38516, June 13, 2016; 83 FR 37638; August 1, 2018; 84 FR 6576, February 
27, 2019), and section 7 of NEFSC's application provides a discussion 
of the potential effects of their specified activity, which we have 
reviewed for accuracy and completeness. No significant new information 
is available, and these discussions provide the necessary, adequate and 
relevant information regarding the potential effects of NEFSC's 
specified activity on marine mammals and their habitat. Therefore, we 
refer the reader to these documents rather than repeating the 
information here. The referenced information includes a summary and 
discussion of the ways that components of the specified activity (e.g., 
gear deployment, use of active acoustic sources, visual disturbance) 
may impact marine mammals and their habitat.
    As stated previously, the use of certain research gears, including 
trawl nets, gillnets, longline gear, and fyke nets, has the potential 
to result in interaction with marine mammals. In the event of a marine 
mammal interaction with research gear, injury, serious injury, or 
mortality may result from entanglement or hooking. Exposure to sound 
through the use of active acoustic systems for research purposes may 
result in Level B harassment. However, as detailed in the previously 
referenced discussions, Level A harassment in the form of permanent 
threshold shift (PTS) is extremely unlikely to occur, and we consider 
such effects discountable. Finally, it is expected that hauled 
pinnipeds may be disturbed by approaching researchers such that Level B 
harassment could occur. Ship strike is not a reasonably anticipated 
outcome of NEFSC research activities, given the small amount of 
distance covered by research vessels, use of observers, and their 
relatively slow speed in comparison to commercial shipping traffic 
(i.e., the primary cause of marine mammal vessel strikes).
    With specific reference to Level B harassment that may occur as a 
result of acoustic exposure, we note that the analytical methods from 
the original 2016 analysis are retained here. However, the state of 
science with regard to our understanding of the likely potential 
effects of the use of systems like those used by NEFSC has advanced in 
the preceding 5 years, as have readily available approaches to 
estimating the acoustic footprints of such sources, with the result 
that we view this analysis as highly conservative. Although more recent 
literature provides documentation of marine mammal responses to the use 
of these and similar acoustic systems (e.g., Cholewiak et al., 2017; 
Quick et al., 2017; Varghese et al., 2020), the described responses do 
not generally comport with the degree of severity that should be 
associated with Level B harassment, as defined by the MMPA. We retain 
the 2016 analytical approach for consistency with existing analyses and 
for purposes of efficiency here, and consider this acceptable because 
the approach provides a conservative estimate of potential incidents of 
Level B harassment. In summary, while we authorize the amount of take 
by Level B harassment indicated in the Estimated Take section, and 
consider these potential takings at face value in our negligible impact 
analysis, it is uncertain whether use of these acoustic systems are 
likely to cause take at all, much less at the estimated levels.
    The Estimated Take section later in this document includes a 
quantitative analysis of the number of individuals that are expected to 
be taken by this activity. The Negligible Impact Analysis and 
Determinations section considers the potential effects of the specified 
activity, the Estimated Take section, and the Mitigation section, to 
draw conclusions regarding the likely impacts of these activities on 
the reproductive success or survivorship of individuals and how those 
impacts on individuals are likely to impact marine mammal species or 
stocks.

Estimated Take

    This section provides an estimate of the number of incidental takes 
to be authorized through a LOA, which will inform both NMFS' 
consideration of ``small numbers'' and the negligible impact 
determination.
    Except with respect to certain activities not pertinent here, 
section 3(18) of the MMPA defines ``harassment'' as any act of pursuit, 
torment, or annoyance, which (i) has the potential to injure a marine 
mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild (Level A harassment); or (ii) 
has the potential to disturb a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in 
the wild by causing disruption of behavioral patterns, including, but 
not limited to, migration, breathing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or 
sheltering (Level B harassment).
    Take of marine mammals incidental to NEFSC research activities 
could occur as a result of (1) injury or mortality due to gear 
interaction (Level A harassment, serious injury, or mortality); (2) 
behavioral disturbance resulting from the use of active acoustic 
sources (Level B harassment only); or (3) behavioral disturbance of 
pinnipeds resulting from incidental approach of researchers and 
research vessels (Level B harassment only). Below we describe how the 
potential take is estimated.

Estimated Take Due to Gear Interaction

    To estimate the number of potential takes that could occur by M/SI 
and Level A through gear interaction, consideration of past 
interactions between gear (i.e., trawl, gillnet, and fyke gear) used by 
NEFSC and specific marine mammal species provides important context. We 
also considered other species that have not been taken by NEFSC but are 
similar enough in

[[Page 58445]]

nature and behavioral patterns as to consider them having the potential 
to be entangled. As described in the Potential Effects of Marine 
Mammals and their Habitat section, NEFSC has a history of taking marine 
mammals in fishing gear, albeit a very small amount compared to the 
amount of fishing effort. From 2004-2015, eight marine mammals were 
killed in interactions with trawl gear (common dolphin, gray seal), six 
were killed due to capture in gillnets (Common bottlenose, Northern 
South Carolina estuarine stock, gray seal, harbor porpoise and 
bottlenose dolphin), and one suffered mortality in a fyke net (harbor 
seal). Also over that time period, one minke whale was caught in trawl 
gear and released alive. We note these interactions occurred prior to 
implementation of the existing regulations which heightened mitigation 
and monitoring efforts. From 2016-2018, no marine mammals were taken 
incidental to fishing. A lethal take of a common dolphin during a 
Cooperative Research NTAP cruise sponsored by the Center occurred in 
late September 2019. The gear was a 4 seam 3 bridle Bigelow net with a 
spread restrictor cable. In 2020, no takes occurred.
    Historical Interactions--In order to estimate the number of 
potential incidents of take that could occur by M/SI through gear 
interaction, we first consider the NEFSC's past record of such 
incidents, and then consider in addition other species that may have 
similar vulnerabilities to the NEFSC's trawl, gillnet, and fyke net 
gear for which we have historical interaction records. We describe 
historical interactions with NEFSC research gear in Tables 6, 7, and 8. 
Available records are for the years 2004 through the present. Please 
see Figure 4.2-2 in the NEFSC EA for specific locations of these 
incidents up through 2020.

                                Table 6--Historical Interactions With Trawl Gear
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                              Number
             Gear                   Survey           Date           Species        Number    released    Total
                                                                                   killed     alive
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gourock high speed midwater    Atlantic              10/8/2004  Short-beaked             2          0          2
 rope trawl.                    Herring Survey.                  common dolphin
                                                                 (Western NA
                                                                 stock).
Bottom trawl (4-seam, 3        NEFSC Standard       11/11/2007  Short-beaked             1          0          1
 bridle).                       Bottom Trawl                     common dolphin
                                Survey.                          (Western NA
                                                                 stock).
Gourock high speed midwater    Atlantic             10/11/2009  Minke whale....          0      \1\ 1          1
 rope trawl.                    Herring Survey.
Bottom trawl (4-seam, 3        Spring Bottom            4/4/15  Gray seal......      \2\ 1          0          1
 bridle).                       Trawl Survey.
Bottom trawl (4-seam, 3        Cooperative             9/24/19  Short-beaked             1          0          1
 bridle).                       NTAP.                            common dolphin
                                                                 (Western NA
                                                                 stock).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total individuals captured (total number of interactions    Short-beaked             4          0          4
     given in parentheses).                                      common dolphin  .........  .........  .........
                                                                 (4).                    0          1          1
                                                                Minke whale (1)          1          0          1
                                                                Gray seal (1)..
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ According to the incident report, ``The net's cod end and whale were brought aboard just enough to undo the
  cod end and free the whale. It was on deck for about 5 minutes. While on deck, it was vocalizing and moving
  its tail up and down. The whale swam away upon release and appeared to be fine. Estimated length was 19
  feet.'' The NEFSC later classified this incidental take as a serious injury using NMFS criteria for such
  determinations published in January 2012 (Cole and Henry, 2013).
\2\ The NEFSC filed an incident report for this incidental take on April 4, 2015.


                               Table 7--Historical Interactions With Gillnet Gear
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                              Number
             Gear                   Survey           Date           Species        Number    released    Total
                                                                                   killed     alive
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gillnet......................  COASTSPAN......      11/29/2008  Common                   1          0          1
                                                                 Bottlenose
                                                                 dolphin
                                                                 (Northern
                                                                 South Carolina
                                                                 Estuarine
                                                                 System stock)
                                                                 \1\.
Gillnet......................  NEFOP Observer         5/4/2009  Gray seal......          1          0          1
                                Gillnet
                                Training Trips.
Gillnet......................  NEFOP Observer         5/4/2009  Harbor porpoise          1          0          1
                                Gillnet
                                Training Trips.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total individuals captured (total number of interactions    Bottlenose               1          0          1
     given in parentheses).                                      dolphin (1).            1          0          1
                                                                Gray seal (1)..          1          0          1
                                                                Harbor porpoise
                                                                 (1).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ In 2008, the COASTSPAN gillnet survey caught and killed one common bottlenose dolphin in 2008 while a
  cooperating institution was conducting the survey in South Carolina. This was the only occurrence of
  incidental take in these surveys. Although no genetic information is available from this dolphin, based on the
  location of the event, NMFS retrospectively assigned this mortality to the Northern South Carolina Estuarine
  System stock in 2015 from the previous classification as the western North Atlantic stock (Waring et al.,
  2014).


[[Page 58446]]


                               Table 8--Historical Interactions With Fyke Net Gear
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                              Number
             Gear                   Survey           Date           Species        Number    released    Total
                                                                                   killed     alive
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fyke Net.....................  Maine Estuaries      10/25/2010  Harbor seal....          1          0          1
                                Diadromous
                                Survey.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total......................................................................          1          0          1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The NEFSC has no recorded interactions with any gear other than 
midwater and bottom trawl, gillnet, and fyke net gears. As noted 
previously in Potential Effects of the Specified Activity on Marine 
Mammals, we anticipate future interactions with the same gear types.
    In order to use these historical interaction records in a 
precautionary manner as the basis for the take estimation process, and 
because we have no specific information to indicate whether any given 
future interaction might result in M/SI versus Level A harassment, we 
conservatively assume that all interactions equate to mortality.
    In order to estimate the potential number of incidents of M/SI take 
that could occur incidental to the NEFSC's use of midwater and bottom 
trawl, gillnet, fyke net, and longline gear in the Atlantic coast 
region over the 5-year period the rule would be effective (2021-2026), 
we first look at the six species described that have been taken 
historically and then evaluate the potential vulnerability of 
additional species to these gears.
    Table 9 shows the average annual captures rate of these six species 
and the projected 5-year totals for this rule, for trawl, gillnet, and 
fyke net gear. Below we describe how these data were used to estimate 
future take for these and proxy species which also have the potential 
to be taken.

     Table 9--Average Rate of Animal Gear Interaction From 2004-2020
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Average rate
              Gear                       Species          per year (2004-
                                                               2020)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trawl..........................  Short-beaked common                0.27
                                  dolphin.                          0.06
                                 Minke whale............            0.06
                                 Gray seal..............
Gillnet........................  Common bottlenose                  0.06
                                  dolphin.                          0.06
                                 Harbor porpoise........            0.06
                                 Gray seal..............
Fyke net.......................  Harbor seal............            0.06
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The NEFSC estimated takes for NEFSC gear that: (1) Had a prior take 
in the historical record, or (2) by analogy to commercial fishing gear. 
Further, given the rare events of M/SI in NEFSC fishery research, the 
NEFSC binned gear into categories (e.g., trawls) rather than 
partitioning take by gear, as it would result in estimated takes that 
far exceed the recorded take history.
    Vulnerability of analogous species to different gear types is 
informed by the record of interactions by the analogous and reference 
species with commercial fisheries using gear types similar to those 
used in research. Furthermore, when determining the amount of take 
requested, we make a distinction between analogous species thought to 
have the same vulnerability for incidental take as the reference 
species and those analogous species that may have a similar 
vulnerability. In those cases thought to have the same vulnerability, 
the request is for the same number per year as the reference species. 
In those cases thought to have similar vulnerability, the request is 
less than the reference species. For example, the NEFSC believes the 
vulnerability of harbor seals to be taken in gillnets is the same as 
for gray seals (one per year) and thus requests one harbor seal per 
year (total of 5 over the authorization period). Alternatively, the 
potential for take of Atlantic white-sided dolphins in gillnets is 
expected to be similar to harbor porpoise (one per year), and the 
reduced request relative to this reference species is one Atlantic 
white sided dolphin over the entire 5-year authorization period.
    The approach outlined here reflects: (1) Concern that some species 
with which we have not had historical interactions may interact with 
these gears, (2) acknowledgment of variation between sets, and (3) 
understanding that many marine mammals are not solitary so if a set 
results in take, the take could be greater than one animal. In these 
particular instances, the NEFSC estimates the take of these species to 
be equal to the maximum interactions per any given set of a reference 
species historically taken during 2004-2019.
    Trawls--To estimate the requested taking of analogous species, the 
NEFSC identified several species in the western North Atlantic Ocean 
which may have similar vulnerability to research-based trawls as the 
short-beaked common dolphin. Short-beaked common dolphins were taken in 
2004 (two individuals in one trawl set) and in 2019 (one dolphin during 
a bottom trawl). The NEFSC therefore, estimates one take of a short-
beaked common dolphin per year over the 5-year period to be 
precautionary (i.e., 5 total). On the basis of similar vulnerability of 
other dolphin species, the NEFSC estimates two potential takes over the 
5-year authorization period for each of the following species in 
trawls: Risso's dolphin, common bottlenose dolphin (offshore and 
northern coastal migratory stock), Atlantic-white-sided dolphin, white-
beaked dolphin, Atlantic spotted dolphin, and harbor porpoise. For 
these species, we propose to authorize a total taking by M/SI of two 
individuals over the 5-year timespan (Table 10).
    In light of the low level of interaction and the mitigation 
measures to specifically reduce interactions with dolphins during 
COASTSPAN surveys

[[Page 58447]]

such as hand-checking the gill net every 20 minutes, no takes are 
requested from the Southern Migratory, Coastal or Estuarine stocks of 
common bottlenose dolphin. Other dolphin species may have similar 
vulnerabilities as those listed above but because of the timing and 
location of NEFSC research activities, the NEFSC concluded that the 
likelihood for take of these species was low and therefore is not 
requesting, nor it NMFS proposing to authorize, take for the following 
species: Pantropical spotted dolphin, striped dolphin, Fraser's 
dolphin, rough-toothed dolphin, Clymene dolphin, and spinner dolphin.
    In 2015, one gray seal was killed during a trawl survey. Similar to 
other gear, the NEFSC believes that harbor seals have a similar 
vulnerability for incidental take as gray seals in this type of gear. 
To be conservative, for the period of this authorization, the NEFSC has 
requested one take by trawl for harbor seals each year over the 5-year 
authorization period. Thus, for harbor and gray seals, we propose to 
authorize a total taking by M/SI of 5 individuals over the 5-year 
timespan for trawl gear (Table 10).
    Gillnets--To estimate the requested take of analogous species for 
gillnets, the NEFSC identified several species in the western North 
Atlantic Ocean which may have similar vulnerability to research-based 
gillnet surveys as the short-beaked common dolphin--due to similar 
behaviors and distributions in the survey areas.
    Gillnet surveys typically occur nearshore in bays and estuaries. 
One gray seal and one harbor porpoise were caught during a Northeast 
Fisheries Observer Program training gillnet survey. The NEFSC believes 
that harbor seals have the same vulnerability to be taken in gillnets 
as gray seals and therefore estimates 5 takes of harbor seals in 
gillnets over the 5-year authorization period. For this species, we 
propose to authorize a total taking by M/SI of 5 individuals over the 
5-year timespan (see Table 10).
    Likewise, the NEFSC believes that Atlantic white-sided dolphins and 
short-beaked common dolphins have a similar vulnerability to be taken 
in gillnets as harbor porpoise and bottlenose dolphins (Waring et al., 
2014) and estimates one take each of Atlantic white-sided dolphin and 
short-beaked common dolphin in gillnet gear over the 5-year 
authorization period. For these species, we propose to authorize a 
total taking by M/SI of one individual (per species) over the 5-year 
timespan (Table 10).
    In 2008, a cooperating institution conducting the COASTSPAN gillnet 
survey in South Carolina caught and killed one bottlenose dolphin. 
Despite years of effort since that time, this was the only occurrence 
of incidental take in these surveys. The survey now imposes strict 
monitoring and mitigation measures (see sections below on Mitigation 
and Monitoring and Reporting). With regard to common bottlenose 
dolphins, M/SI takes are only requested for offshore and Northern 
migratory stocks (10 total over the 5-year period). Given the lack of 
recent take and the implementation of additional monitoring and 
mitigation measures, the NEFSC is not requesting, and NMFS is not 
proposing to authorize, take of bottlenose dolphins belonging to the 
Southern Coastal Migratory or Estuarine stocks as the NEFSC considers 
there to be a remote chance of incidentally taking a bottlenose dolphin 
from the estuarine stocks. However, in the future, if there is a 
bottlenose dolphin take from the estuarine stocks as confirmed by 
genetic sampling, the NEFSC will reconsider its take request in 
consultation and coordination with OPR and the Atlantic Bottlenose 
Dolphin Take Reduction Team.
    In 2009, one gray seal was killed during a gillnet survey. Similar 
to other gear, the NEFSC believes that harbor seals have a similar 
vulnerability for incidental take as gray seals in this type of gear. 
To be conservative, for the period of this authorization, the NEFSC has 
requested one take by gillnet for harbor seals each year over the 5-
year authorization period. Thus, for harbor and gray seals, we propose 
to authorize a total taking by M/SI of 5 individual over the 5-year 
timespan (Table 10).
    Fyke nets--For fyke nets, the NEFSC believes that gray seals have a 
similar vulnerability for incidental take as harbor seals which 
interacted once in a single fyke net set during the past 11 years. 
However, to be conservative, for the period of this authorization, the 
NEFSC has requested one take by fyke net for gray seals each year over 
the 5-year authorization period. Thus, for gray seals, we propose to 
authorize a total taking by M/SI of 5 individual over the 5-year 
timespan (Table 10).
    Longlines--While the NEFSC has not historically interacted with 
large whales or other cetaceans in its longline gear, it is well 
documented that some of these species are taken in commercial longline 
fisheries. The 2020 List of Fisheries classifies commercial fisheries 
based on prior interactions with marine mammals. Although the NEFSC 
used this information to help make an informed decision on the 
probability of specific cetacean and large whale interactions with 
longline gear, many other factors were also taken into account (e.g., 
relative survey effort, survey location, similarity in gear type, 
animal behavior, prior history of NEFSC interactions with longline 
gear, etc.). Therefore, there are several species that have been shown 
to interact with commercial longline fisheries but for which the NEFSC 
is not requesting take. For example, the NEFSC is not requesting take 
of large whales, long-finned pilot whales, and short-finned pilot 
whales in longline gear. Although these species could become entangled 
in longline gear, the probability of interaction with NEFSC longline 
gear is extremely low considering a low level of survey effort relative 
to that of commercial fisheries, the short length of the mainline, and 
low numbers of hooks used. Based on the amount of fish caught by 
commercial fisheries versus NEFSC fisheries research, the ``footprint'' 
of research effort compared to commercial fisheries is very small. For 
example, NEFSC uses a shorter mainline length and lower number of hooks 
relative to that of commercial fisheries. The NEFSC considered 
previously caught species in analogous commercial fisheries to have a 
higher probability of take; however, all were not included for 
potential take by the NEFSC. Additionally, marine mammals have never 
been caught or entangled in NEFSC longline gear; if interactions occur 
marine mammals depredate caught fish from the gear but leave the hooks 
attached and unaltered. They have never been hooked nor had hooks taken 
off gear during depredation. However, such gear could be considered 
analogous to potential commercial longline surveys that may be 
conducted elsewhere (e.g., Garrison, 2007; Roche et al. 2007; Straley 
et al., 2014). Given that the NEFSC experienced a single interaction of 
a common dolphin during the effective period of the current LOA to 
date, the issuance of this amount of take, by species, is reasonably 
conservative.
    The amount of take authorized, by M/SI, is identical to that 
authorized to the NEFSC for the 2016-2020 LOA except for take 
pertaining to the southern migratory coastal stock of bottlenose 
dolphins. The 2016-2021 LOA authorizes 8 takes from this stock. 
According to the SAR, during the warm water months of July-August, the 
stock is presumed to occupy coastal waters north of Cape Lookout, North 
Carolina, to Assateague, Virginia. North of Cape Hatteras during summer 
months, there

[[Page 58448]]

is strong separation between the coastal and offshore morphotypes 
(Kenney 1990; Garrison et al. 2017a), and the coastal morphotype is 
nearly completely absent in waters >20 m. However, the NEFSC has 
determined that because research effort is low in the habitat range of 
this stock and NEFSC has no documented takes of dolphins belonging to 
the southern migratory coastal stock, they are not requesting, and NMFS 
is not proposing to authorize take.

               Table 10--Total Estimated M/SI Due to Gear Interaction in the Atlantic Coast Region
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   5-Year total,   5-Year total,   5-Year total,   5-Year total,   5-Year total,
             Species                 trawl \1\      gillnet \1\    longline \1\    fyke net \1\      all gears
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minke whale.....................               5               0               0               0               5
Risso's dolphin.................               2               0               1               0               3
Atlantic white-sided dolphin....               2               1               0               0               3
White-beaked dolphin............               2               0               0               0               2
Short-beaked common dolphin.....               5               1               1               0               7
Atlantic spotted dolphin........               2               0               0               0               2
Common bottlenose dolphin (WNA                 2               5               1               0               8
 offshore stock) \1\............
Common bottlenose dolphin (WNA                 2               5               1               0               8
 N. Migratory stock) \1\........
Harbor porpoise.................               2               5               0               0               7
Harbor seal.....................               5               5               0               5              15
Gray seal.......................               5               5               0               5              15
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The NEFSC re-evaluated sampling locations and effort after submission of their LOA application and is not
  requesting takes for the southern migratory stock of bottlenose dolphins as fishing effort is very low.

Estimated Take From Scientific Sonar

    As described previously, we believe it unlikely that NEFSC use of 
active acoustic sources is realistically likely to cause Level B 
harassment of marine mammals. However, per NEFSC request, we 
conservatively assume that, at worst, Level B harassment may result 
from exposure to noise from these sources, and we carry forward the 
analytical approach developed in support of the 2015 rule. At that 
time, in order to quantify the potential for Level B harassment to 
occur, NMFS developed an analytical framework considering 
characteristics of the active acoustic systems, their expected patterns 
of use, and characteristics of the marine mammal species that may 
interact with them. The framework incorporated a number of deliberately 
precautionary, simplifying assumptions, and the resulting exposure 
estimates, which are presumed here to equate to take by Level B 
harassment (as defined by the MMPA), may be seen as an overestimate of 
the potential for such effects to occur as a result of the operation of 
these systems.
    Regarding the potential for Level A harassment in the form of 
permanent threshold shift to occur, the very short duration sounds 
emitted by these sources reduces the likely level of accumulated energy 
an animal is exposed to. An individual would have to remain 
exceptionally close to a sound source for unrealistic lengths of time, 
suggesting the likelihood of injury occurring is exceedingly small. 
Potential Level A harassment is therefore not considered further in 
this analysis.
    Authorized takes from the use of active acoustic scientific sonar 
sources (e.g., echosounders) would be by Level B harassment only, in 
the form of disruption of behavioral patterns for individual marine 
mammals resulting from exposure to the use of active acoustic sources. 
Based on the nature of the activity, Level A harassment is neither 
anticipated nor authorized.
    Generally speaking, we estimate take by considering: (1) Acoustic 
thresholds above which NMFS believes the best available science 
indicates marine mammals will be behaviorally harassed or incur some 
degree of permanent hearing impairment; (2) the area or volume of water 
that will be ensonified above these levels in a day; (3) the density or 
occurrence of marine mammals within these ensonified areas; and, (4) 
and the number of days of activities. We note that while these basic 
factors can contribute to a basic calculation to provide an initial 
prediction of takes, additional information that can qualitatively 
inform take estimates is also sometimes available (e.g., previous 
monitoring results or average group size). Below, we describe the 
factors considered here in more detail and present the take estimate.

Acoustic Thresholds

    NMFS recommends the use of acoustic thresholds that identify the 
received level of underwater sound above which exposed marine mammals 
would be reasonably expected to be behaviorally harassed (equated to 
Level B harassment) or to incur PTS of some degree (equated to Level A 
harassment). As described in detail for NEFSC and other science centers 
in previously issued Federal Register notices (e.g., 85 FR 53606, 
August 28, 2020; 88 FR 27028, May 6, 2020), the use of the sources used 
by NMFS Science Centers, including NEFSC, do not have the potential to 
cause Level A harassment; therefore, our discussion is limited to 
behavioral harassment (Level B harassment).
    Level B Harassment for non-explosive sources--Though significantly 
driven by received level, the onset of behavioral disturbance from 
anthropogenic noise exposure is also informed to varying degrees by 
other factors related to the source (e.g., frequency, predictability, 
duty cycle), the environment (e.g., bathymetry), and the receiving 
animals (hearing, motivation, experience, demography, behavioral 
context) and can be difficult to predict (Southall et al., 2007, 
Ellison et al., 2012). Based on what the available science indicates 
and the practical need to use a threshold based on a factor that is 
both predictable and measurable for most activities, NMFS uses a 
generalized acoustic threshold based on received level to estimate the 
onset of behavioral harassment. NMFS predicts that marine mammals are 
likely to be behaviorally harassed in a manner we consider Level B 
harassment when exposed to underwater anthropogenic noise above 
received levels of 120 decibels (dB) re 1 microPascal ([mu]Pa) root 
mean square (rms) for continuous (e.g., vibratory pile-driving, 
drilling) and above 160 dB re 1 [mu]Pa (rms) for intermittent (e.g., 
scientific sonar) sources. NEFSC surveys include the use of non-
impulsive, intermittent sources and therefore the 160 dB re 1 [mu]Pa 
(rms) threshold is applicable.
    The operating frequencies of active acoustic systems used by the 
NEFSC range from 30-333 kilohertz (kHz) (see Table 2). Examination of 
these sources considers operational patterns of use

[[Page 58449]]

relative to each other, and which sources would have the largest 
potential impact zone when used simultaneously. NEFSC determined that 
the EK60, ME70, and DSM 300 sources comprise the total effective 
exposures relative to line-kilometers surveyed (see Section 6.5 of the 
Application). Acoustic disturbance takes are calculated for these three 
dominant sources. Of these dominant acoustic sources, only the EK60 can 
use a frequency within the hearing range of baleen whales (18 kHz). 
Therefore, for North Atlantic right whales and all other baleen whales, 
Level B harassment is only expected for exposure to the EK60. The other 
two dominant sources are outside of their hearing range. The ADCP Ocean 
Surveyor operates at 75 kHz, which is outside of baleen whale hearing 
capabilities. Therefore, we would not expect any exposures to these 
signals to result in behavioral harassment in baleen whales.
    The assessment paradigm for active acoustic sources used in NEFSC 
fisheries research is relatively straightforward and has a number of 
key simple and conservative assumptions. NMFS' current acoustic 
guidance requires in most cases that we assume Level B harassment 
occurs when a marine mammal receives an acoustic signal at or above a 
simple step-function threshold. Estimating the number of exposures at 
the specified received level requires several determinations, each of 
which is described sequentially below:
    (1) A detailed characterization of the acoustic characteristics of 
the effective sound source or sources in operation;
    (2) The operational areas exposed to levels at or above those 
associated with Level B harassment when these sources are in operation;
    (3) A method for quantifying the resulting sound fields around 
these sources; and
    (4) An estimate of the average density for marine mammal species in 
each area of operation.
    Quantifying the spatial and temporal dimension of the sound 
exposure footprint (or ``swath width'') of the active acoustic devices 
in operation on moving vessels and their relationship to the average 
density of marine mammals enables a quantitative estimate of the number 
of individuals for which sound levels exceed the relevant threshold for 
each area. The number of potential incidents of Level B harassment is 
ultimately estimated as the product of the volume of water ensonified 
at 160 dB rms or higher and the volumetric density of animals 
determined from simple assumptions about their vertical stratification 
in the water column. Specifically, reasonable assumptions based on what 
is known about diving behavior across different marine mammal species 
were made to segregate those that predominately remain in the upper 200 
m of the water column versus those that regularly dive deeper during 
foraging and transit. Methods for estimating each of these calculations 
are described in greater detail in the following sections, along with 
the simplifying assumptions made, and followed by the take estimates.
    Sound source characteristics--An initial characterization of the 
general source parameters for the primary active acoustic sources 
operated by the NEFSC was conducted, enabling a full assessment of all 
sound sources used by the NEFSC. This auditing of the active acoustic 
sources also enabled a determination of the predominant sources that, 
when operated, would have sound footprints exceeding those from any 
other simultaneously used sources. These sources were effectively those 
used directly in acoustic propagation modeling to estimate the zones 
within which the 160 dB rms received level would occur.
    Many of these sources can be operated in different modes and with 
different output parameters. In modeling their potential impact areas, 
those features among the sources identified in Table 2 (e.g., lowest 
operating frequency) that would lead to the most precautionary estimate 
of maximum received level ranges (i.e., largest ensonified area) were 
used. The effective beam patterns took into account the normal modes in 
which these sources are typically operated. While these signals are 
brief and intermittent, a conservative assumption was taken in ignoring 
the temporal pattern of transmitted pulses in calculating Level B 
harassment events. Operating characteristics of each of the predominant 
sound sources were used in the calculation of effective line-kilometers 
and area of exposure for each source in each survey.
    Calculating effective line-kilometers--As described below, based on 
the operating parameters for each source type, an estimated volume of 
water ensonified at or above the 160 dB rms threshold was calculated. 
In all cases where multiple sources are operated simultaneously, the 
one with the largest estimated acoustic footprint was considered to be 
the effective source. Two depth zones were defined for each of the four 
research areas: 0-200 m and > 200 m. Effective line distance and volume 
ensonified was calculated for each depth strata (0-200 m and > 200 m), 
where appropriate. In some cases, this resulted in different sources 
being predominant in each depth stratum for all line km (i.e., the 
total linear distance traveled during acoustic survey operations) when 
multiple sources were in operation. This was accounted for in 
estimating overall exposures for species that utilize both depth strata 
(deep divers). For each ecosystem area, the total number of line km 
that would be surveyed was determined, as was the relative percentage 
of surveyed line km associated with each source. The total line-
kilometers for each survey, the dominant source, the effective 
percentages associated with each depth, and the effective total volume 
ensonified are given below (Table 12).
    From the sources identified in Table 2, the NEFSC identified six of 
the eight as having the largest potential impact zones during 
operations based on their relatively lower output frequency, higher 
output power, and operational pattern of use: EK60, ME70, DSM 300, ADCP 
Ocean Surveyor, Simrad EQ50, and Netmind (80 FR 39542, July 9, 2015). 
Further examination of these six sources considers operational patterns 
of use relative to each other, and which sources would have the largest 
potential impact zone when used simultaneously. NEFSC determined that 
the EK60, ME 70, and DSM 300 sources comprise the total effective 
exposures relative to line-kilometers surveyed acoustic disturbance 
takes are calculated for these three dominant sources. Of these 
dominant acoustic sources, only the EK 60 can use a frequency within 
the hearing range of baleen whales (18k Hz). Therefore, for NARW and 
all other baleen whales, Level B harassment is only expected for 
exposure to the EK60. The other two dominant sources are outside of 
their hearing range.
    Calculating volume of water ensonified--The cross-sectional area of 
water ensonified to a 160 dB rms received level was calculated using a 
simple spherical spreading model of sound propagation loss (20 log R) 
such that there would be 60 dB of attenuation over 1,000 m. Spherical 
spreading is a reasonable assumption even in relatively shallow waters 
since, taking into account the beam angle, the reflected energy from 
the seafloor will be much weaker than the direct source and the volume 
influenced by the reflected acoustic energy would be much smaller over 
the relatively short ranges involved. We also accounted for the 
frequency-dependent absorption coefficient and beam pattern of these 
sound sources, which is generally highly directional. The lowest 
frequency was used for systems that are operated over a range of 
frequencies. The vertical

[[Page 58450]]

extent of this area is calculated for two depth strata.
    Following the determination of effective sound exposure area for 
transmissions considered in two dimensions (Table 11), the next step 
was to determine the effective volume of water ensonified at or above 
160 dB rms for the entirety of each survey. For each of the three 
predominant sound sources, the volume of water ensonified is estimated 
as the athwartship cross-sectional area (in square kilometers) of sound 
at or above 160 dB rms multiplied by the total distance traveled by the 
ship. Where different sources operating simultaneously would be 
predominant in each different depth strata, the resulting cross-
sectional area calculated took this into account. Specifically, for 
shallow-diving species this cross-sectional area was determined for 
whichever was predominant in the shallow stratum, whereas for deeper-
diving species this area was calculated from the combined effects of 
the predominant source in the shallow stratum and the (sometimes 
different) source predominating in the deep stratum. This creates an 
effective total volume characterizing the area ensonified when each 
predominant source is operated and accounts for the fact that deeper-
diving species may encounter a complex sound field in different 
portions of the water column. Volumetric densities are presented in 
Table 12.

   Table 11--Effective Exposure Areas for Predominant Acoustic Sources
                         Across Two Depth Strata
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Effective exposure    Effective exposure
   Active acoustic system     area: sea surface to  area: sea surface to
                               200 m depth (km\2\)  depth >200 m (km\2\)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
EK60........................                0.0142                0.1411
ME70........................                0.0201                0.0201
DSM300......................                0.0004                0.0004
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Marine Mammal Density

    As described in the 2015 proposed rule (80 FR 39542, July 9, 2015), 
marine mammals were categorized into two generalized depth strata: 
surface-associated (0-200 m) or deep-diving (0 to >200 m). These depth 
strata are based on reasonable assumptions of behavior (Reynolds III 
and Rommell 1999). Animals in the shallow-diving strata were assumed to 
spend a majority of their lives (>75 percent) at depths of 200 m or 
shallower. For shallow-diving species, the volumetric density is the 
area density divided by 0.2 km (i.e., 200 m). The animal's volumetric 
density and exposure to sound is limited by this depth boundary.
    Species in the deeper diving strata were assumed to regularly dive 
deeper than 200 m and spend significant time at depth. For deeper 
diving species, the volumetric density is calculated as the area 
density divided by a nominal value of 0.5 km (i.e., 500 m), consistent 
with the approach used in the 2016 Final Rule (81 FR 53061, August 11, 
2016). Where applicable, both LME and offshore volumetric densities are 
provided. As described in Section 6.5 of NEFSC's application, level of 
effort and acoustic gear types used by NEFSC differ in these areas and 
takes are calculated for each area (LME and offshore).

                                          Table 12--Marine Mammal and Volumetric Density in the Ensonfied Areas
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        Dive profile/                                                        Offshore
                                                                      vertical habitat       LME area     LME volumetric     Offshore       Volumetric
                            Common name                            ----------------------  density (per    density (per    density (per    density (per
                                                                     0-200 m     >200 m   km\2\) \1\ \2\    km\3\) \3\    km\2\) \2\ \4\    km\3\) \5\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        Cetaceans
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NARW \6\..........................................................         X   .........          0.0030          0.0150               0               0
Humpback whale....................................................         X   .........          0.0016         0.00800               0               0
Fin whale.........................................................         X   .........          0.0048         0.02400         0.00005         0.00025
Sei whale.........................................................         X   .........          0.0008         0.00400               0               0
Minke whale.......................................................         X   .........           0.002         0.01000               0               0
Blue whale........................................................         X   .........        0.000009         0.00005        0.000009         0.00005
Sperm whale.......................................................  .........         X                0               0          0.0056         0.01120
Dwarf sperm whale.................................................  .........         X                0               0           0.005         0.01000
Pygmy sperm whale.................................................  .........         X                0               0           0.005         0.01000
Killer Whale......................................................         X   .........        0.000009         0.00005        0.000009         0.00005
Pygmy killer whale................................................         X   .........        0.000009         0.00005        0.000009         0.00005
Northern bottlenose whale.........................................  .........         X                0               0         0.00009         0.00018
Cuvier's beaked whale.............................................  .........         X                0               0          0.0062         0.01240
Mesoplodon beaked whales..........................................  .........         X                0               0          0.0046         0.00920
Melon-headed whale................................................         X   .........               0               0          0.0010         0.00500
Risso's dolphin...................................................         X   .........          0.0020         0.01000          0.0128         0.06400
Long-finned pilot whale...........................................  .........         X           0.0220         0.11000          0.0220         0.04400
Short-finned pilot whale..........................................  .........         X           0.0220         0.11000          0.0220         0.04400
Atlantic white-sided dolphin......................................         X   .........          0.0453         0.22650               0               0
White-beaked dolphin..............................................         X   .........         0.00003         0.00015               0               0
Short-beaked common dolphin.......................................         X   .........          0.0891         0.44550               0               0
Atlantic spotted dolphin..........................................         X   .........          0.0013         0.00650          0.0241         0.12050
Pantropical spotted dolphin.......................................         X   .........               0               0          0.0015         0.00750
Striped dolphin...................................................         X   .........               0               0          0.0614         0.30700
Fraser's dolphin..................................................         X   .........               0               0          0.0004        0.000200
Rough toothed dolphin.............................................         X   .........          0.0005         0.00250          0.0010        0.000200

[[Page 58451]]

 
Clymene dolphin...................................................         X   .........          0.0032         0.01600               0               0
Spinner dolphin...................................................         X   .........               0               0          0.0002         0.00100
Common bottlenose dolphin offshore stock..........................         X   .........               0               0          0.1615          0.3230
Common bottlenose dolphin coastal stocks..........................         X   .........          0.1359          0.6795               0               0
Harbor porpoise...................................................         X   .........          0.0403         0.20150               0               0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        Pinnipeds
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harbor Seal.......................................................         X   .........          0.2844          1.4220               0               0
Gray Seal.........................................................         X   .........          0.0939          0.4695               0               0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ LME is the area in shore of the 200 m depth contour.
\2\ Source: Unless otherwise stated Roberts, Best et al. (2016).
\3\ LME volumetric density is the LME area density divided by 0.2 km.
\4\ Offshore is the area offshore of the 200 m depth contour.
\5\ Offshore volumetric density is the offshore area density divided by 0.2 km or 0.5 km for shallow or deep diving species or 0.5 km for deep diving
  species.
\6\ Density from Roberts, Schick et al. (2020).

Using Area of Ensonification and Volumetric Density to Estimate 
Exposures

    Estimates of potential incidents of Level B harassment (i.e., 
potential exposure to levels of sound at or exceeding the 160 dB rms 
threshold) are then calculated by using (1) the combined results from 
output characteristics of each source and identification of the 
predominant sources in terms of acoustic output; (2) their relative 
annual usage patterns for each operational area; (3) a source-specific 
determination made of the area of water associated with received sounds 
at the extent of a depth boundary; and (4) determination of a 
biologically-relevant volumetric density of marine mammal species in 
each area. Estimates of Level B harassment by acoustic sources are the 
product of the volume of water ensonified at 160 dB rms or higher for 
the predominant sound source for each relevant survey and the 
volumetric density of animals for each species. Source- and stratum-
specific exposure estimates are the product of these ensonified volumes 
and the species-specific volumetric densities (Table 12). The general 
take estimate equation for each source in each depth statrum is density 
* (ensonified volume * line kms). The humpback whale and exposure to 
sound from the EK 60 can be used to demonstrate the calculation:
    1. EK60 ensonified volume; 0-200 m: 0.0142 km\2\ * 16058.8 km = 
228.03 km\3\
    2. Estimated exposures to sound >=160 dB rms; humpback whale; EK60, 
LME region: (0.008 humpback whales/km\3\ * 228.03 km\3\ = 1.8 estimated 
humpback exposures to SPLs >=160 dB rms resulting from use of the EK60 
in the 0-200 m depth stratum.
    Similar calculations were conducted for the ME 70 and DSM300 for 
each animal in the LME region, with the exception of baleen whales, as 
these sound sources are outside of their hearing range. Totals in 
Tables 13 and 14 represent the total take of marine mammals, by 
species, across all relevant surveys and sources rounded up to the 
nearest whole number.
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR21OC21.002


[[Page 58453]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR21OC21.003

BILLING CODE 3510-22-C

Estimated Take Due to Physical Disturbance

    Estimated take due to physical disturbance could potentially occur 
in the Penobscot River Estuary as a result of the unintentional 
approach of NEFSC vessels to pinnipeds hauled out on ledges.
    The NEFSC uses three gear types (fyke nets, rotary screw traps, and 
Mamou shrimp trawl) to monitor fish communities in the Penobscot River 
Estuary. The NEFSC conducts the annual surveys over specific sampling 
periods which could use any gear type: Mamou trawling is conducted 
year-round; fyke net surveys are conducted April-November; and rotary 
screw trap surveys from April-June.

[[Page 58454]]

    We anticipate that trawl and fyke net surveys may disturb harbor 
seals and gray seals hauled out on tidal ledges through physical 
presence of researchers. The NEFSC conducts these surveys in upper 
Penobscot Bay above Fort Point Ledge where there is only one minor seal 
ledge (Odum Ledge) used by approximately 50 harbor seals (i.e., based 
on a June 2001 survey). In 2017, only 20 seals were observed in the 
water during the Penobscot Bay surveys (NEFSC 2018) as described below. 
Although one cannot assume that the number of seals using this region 
is stable over the April-November survey period; use of this area by 
seals likely lower in spring and autumn.
    There were no observations of gray seals in the 2001 survey, but 
recent anecdotal information suggests that a few gray seals may share 
the haulout site. These fisheries research activities do not entail 
intentional approaches to seals on ledges (i.e., boats avoid close 
approach to tidal ledges and no gear is deployed near the tidal 
ledges); only behavioral disturbance incidental to small boat 
activities is anticipated. It is likely that some pinnipeds on the 
ledges would move or flush from the haulout into the water in response 
to the presence or sound of NEFSC survey vessels. Behavioral responses 
may be considered according to the scale shown in Table 15. We consider 
responses corresponding to Levels 2-3 to constitute Level B harassment.

                 Table 15--Seal Response to Disturbance
------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Level              Type of response           Definition
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.......................  Alert................  Seal head orientation
                                                  or brief movement in
                                                  response to
                                                  disturbance, which may
                                                  include turning head
                                                  towards the
                                                  disturbance, craning
                                                  head and neck while
                                                  holding the body rigid
                                                  in a u-shaped
                                                  position, changing
                                                  from a lying to a
                                                  sitting position, or
                                                  brief movement of less
                                                  than twice the
                                                  animal's body length.
2.......................  Movement.............  Movements in response
                                                  to the source of
                                                  disturbance, ranging
                                                  from short withdrawals
                                                  at least twice the
                                                  animal's body length
                                                  to longer retreats
                                                  over the beach, or if
                                                  already moving a
                                                  change of direction of
                                                  greater than 90
                                                  degrees.
3.......................  Flush................  All retreats (flushes)
                                                  to the water.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Only two research projects would involve the physical presence of 
researchers that may result in Level B incidental harassment of 
pinnipeds on haulouts. These surveys would occur in Penobscot Bay. 
Seals observed by NEFSC researchers on haulouts and in adjacent waters 
from 2017 through 2020 are presented in Table 16. The 2016 final rule 
(81 FR 53061, August 11, 2016) estimated that all hauled out seals 
could be disturbed by passing research skiffs. This was a conservative 
assumption given that only 20 seals were observed in the water during 
the actual 2017 Penobscot Bay surveys (NEFSC 2018b), and researchers 
have estimated that only about 10 percent of hauled out seals had been 
visibly disturbed in the past (NMFS 2016). Thus, for this rule, it is 
assumed that 10 percent of the animals hauled out could be flushed into 
the water and taken. The resulting requested take is estimated based on 
the number of days per year the activity might take place, times the 
number of seals potentially affected (10 percent of the number hauled). 
Table 17 provides the estimated annual and 5-year takes of harbor and 
gray seals due to behavioral harassment during surveys in the lower 
estuary of the Penobscot River.

                                  Table 16--Seals Observed in Penobscot Bay During Hydroacoustic Surveys From 2017-2020
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       2017                            2018                            2019
                                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         Species                             Count on                        Count on                        Count on
                                                              haulout     Count in water      haulout     Count in water      haulout     Count in water
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harbor seals............................................             242              65             401              52             330              50
Gray seals..............................................               2              17              11               2              33              29
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                               Table 17--Estimated Take, by Level B Harassment, of Pinnipeds During Penobscot River Survey
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          Estimated       Estimated annual instances of harassment
                                                          Estimated       number of   ------------------------------------------------    5-Year total
                                                          number of         seals                                                       harassment takes
                     Common name                        seals hauled     potentially    Fyke net 100    Mamou Shrimp                     requested all
                                                            out 1       disturbed per        DAS        Trawl 12 DAS        Total            gears
                                                                            day 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harbor seals.........................................             400              40           4,000             480           4,480             22,400
Gray seals...........................................              30               3             300              36             336              1,680
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Summary of Estimated Incidental Take

    Here we provide summary tables detailing the total incidental take 
authorized on an annual basis for the NEFSC in the Atlantic coast 
region, as well as other information relevant to the negligible impact 
analyses.

[[Page 58455]]



                  Table 18--Total Take Authorized, by M/SI and Level B Harassment, Over 5 Years
                                                   [2021-2026]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Annual level B take
                                  5-Year total M/------------------------------------------------   Total 5-yr
           Common name                SI take                                     Total (percent   level B take
                                   authorization        LME          Offshore     of population)     2021-2026
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NARW............................               0               4               0          4 (<1)              20
Humpback whale..................               0               2               0          2 (<1)              10
Fin whale.......................               0               6               1          7 (<1)              35
Sei whale.......................               0               1               0          1 (<1)               5
Minke whale.....................               5               3               0          3 (<1)              15
Blue whale......................               0               1               1          2 (<1)              10
Sperm whale.....................               0               0               5          5 (<1)              25
Dwarf sperm whale...............               0               0               4          4 (<1)              20
Pygmy sperm whale...............               0               0               4          4 (<1)              20
Killer Whale....................               0               1               1          2 (<1)              10
Pygmy killer whale..............               0               1               1          2 (<1)              10
Northern bottlenose whale.......               0               0               1          1 (<1)               5
Cuvier's beaked whale...........               0               0               5          5 (<1)              25
Mesoplodon beaked whale.........               0               0               4          4 (<1)              20
Melon-headed whale..............               0               0               1          1 (<1)               5
Risso's dolphin.................               3              12               9         21 (<1)             105
Long-finned pilot whale.........               0             129              17        146 (<1)             730
Short-finned pilot whale........               0             129              17        146 (<1)             730
Atlantic white-sided dolphin....               3             265               0        281 (<1)           1,325
White-beaked common dolphin.....               2               1               0          1 (<1)               5
Short-beaked common dolphin.....               7             520               0        520 (<1)           2,600
Atlantic spotted dolphin........               2               8              16         24 (<1)             120
Pantropical spotted dolphin.....               0               0               1          1 (<1)               5
Striped dolphin.................               0               0              41         41 (<1)             205
Fraser's dolphin................               0               0               1          1 (<1)               5
Rough toothed dolphin...........               0               3               1           4 (3)              20
Clymene dolphin.................               0              19               0         19 (<1)              95
Spinner dolphin.................               0               0               5          5 (<1)              25
Bottlenose dolphin \1\..........          \1\ 16             794              43        837 (12)           4,185
Harbor Porpoise.................               7             236               0        236 (<1)           1,180
Harbor seals \2\................              15           1,660               0     6,140 (8.1)          30,700
                                                           4,480
Gray seals \2\..................              15             549               0       885 (3.2)           4,425
                                                             336
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Eight M/SI takes each from the offshore and northern migratory coastal stocks, over the 5-year period.
\2\ For Level B takes, the first number is disturbance due to acoustic sources, the second is physical
  disturbance due to surveys in Penobscot Bay.

Mitigation

    In order to issue an IHA under section 101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA, 
NMFS must set forth the permissible methods of taking pursuant to the 
activity, and other means of effecting the least practicable impact on 
the species or stock and its habitat, paying particular attention to 
rookeries, mating grounds, and areas of similar significance, and on 
the availability of the species or stock for taking for certain 
subsistence uses (latter not applicable for this action). NMFS 
regulations require applicants for incidental take authorizations to 
include information about the availability and feasibility (economic 
and technological) of equipment, methods, and manner of conducting the 
activity or other means of effecting the least practicable adverse 
impact upon the affected species or stocks and their habitat (50 CFR 
216.104(a)(11)).
    In evaluating how mitigation may or may not be appropriate to 
ensure the least practicable adverse impact on species or stocks and 
their habitat, as well as subsistence uses where applicable, we 
carefully consider two primary factors:
    (1) The manner in which, and the degree to which, the successful 
implementation of the measure(s) is expected to reduce impacts to 
marine mammals, marine mammal species or stocks, and their habitat. 
This considers the nature of the potential adverse impact being 
mitigated (likelihood, scope, range). It further considers the 
likelihood that the measure will be effective if implemented 
(probability of accomplishing the mitigating result if implemented as 
planned), the likelihood of effective implementation (probability 
implemented as planned); and
    (2) The practicability of the measures for applicant 
implementation, which may consider such things as cost, impact on 
operations, and, in the case of a military readiness activity, 
personnel safety, practicality of implementation, and impact on the 
effectiveness of the military readiness activity.

Mitigation for Marine Mammals and Their Habitat

    The NEFSC has invested significant time and effort in identifying 
technologies, practices, and equipment to minimize the impact of the 
proposed activities on marine mammal species and stocks and their 
habitat. The mitigation measures discussed here have been determined to 
be both effective and practicable and, in some cases, have already been 
implemented by the NEFSC. In addition, while not currently being 
investigated, any future

[[Page 58456]]

potentially effective and practicable gear modification mitigation 
measures are part of the adaptive management strategy included in this 
rule.

General Measures

    Visual Monitoring--Effective monitoring is a key step in 
implementing mitigation measures and is achieved through regular marine 
mammal watches. Marine mammal watches are a standard part of conducting 
NEFSC fisheries research activities, particularly those activities that 
use gears that are known to or potentially interact with marine 
mammals. Marine mammal watches and monitoring occur during daylight 
hours prior to deployment of gear (e.g., trawls, longline gear), and 
they continue until gear is brought back on board. If marine mammals 
are sighted in the area within 15 minutes prior to deployment of gear 
and are considered to be at risk of interaction with the research gear, 
then the sampling station is either moved or canceled or the activity 
is suspended until there are no sightings for 15 minutes within 1nm of 
sampling location. On smaller vessels, the Chief Scientist (CS) and the 
vessel operator are typically those looking for marine mammals and 
other protected species. When marine mammal researchers are on board 
(distinct from marine mammal observers dedicated to monitoring for 
potential gear interactions), they will record the estimated species 
and numbers of animals present and their behavior. If marine mammal 
researchers are not on board or available, then the CS in cooperation 
with the vessel operator will monitor for marine mammals and provide 
training as practical to bridge crew and other crew to observe and 
record such information.
    Coordination and Communication--When NEFSC survey effort is 
conducted aboard NOAA-owned vessels, there are both vessel officers and 
crew and a scientific party. Vessel officers and crew are not composed 
of NEFSC staff but are employees of NOAA's Office of Marine and 
Aviation Operations (OMAO), which is responsible for the management and 
operation of NOAA fleet ships and aircraft and is composed of uniformed 
officers of the NOAA Commissioned Corps as well as civilians. The 
ship's officers and crew provide mission support and assistance to 
embarked scientists, and the vessel's Commanding Officer (CO) has 
ultimate responsibility for vessel and passenger safety and, therefore, 
decision authority regarding the implementation of mitigation measures. 
When NEFSC survey effort is conducted aboard cooperative platforms 
(i.e., non-NOAA vessels), ultimate responsibility and decision 
authority again rests with non-NEFSC personnel (i.e., vessel's master 
or captain). Although the discussion throughout this Rule does not 
always explicitly reference those with decision-making authority from 
cooperative platforms, all mitigation measures apply with equal force 
to non-NOAA vessels and personnel as they do to NOAA vessels and 
personnel. Decision authority includes the implementation of mitigation 
measures (e.g., whether to stop deployment of trawl gear upon 
observation of marine mammals). The scientific party involved in any 
NEFSC survey effort is composed, in part or whole, of NEFSC staff and 
is led by a CS. Therefore, because the NEFSC--not OMAO or any other 
entity that may have authority over survey platforms used by NEFSC--is 
the applicant to whom any incidental take authorization issued under 
the authority of these regulations would be issued, we require that the 
NEFSC take all necessary measures to coordinate and communicate in 
advance of each specific survey with OMAO, or other relevant parties, 
to ensure that all mitigation measures and monitoring requirements 
described herein, as well as the specific manner of implementation and 
relevant event-contingent decision-making processes, are clearly 
understood and agreed-upon. This may involve description of all 
required measures when submitting cruise instructions to OMAO or when 
completing contracts with external entities. NEFSC will coordinate and 
conduct briefings at the outset of each survey and as necessary between 
the ship's crew (CO/master or designee(s), as appropriate) and 
scientific party in order to explain responsibilities, communication 
procedures, marine mammal monitoring protocol, and operational 
procedures. The CS will be responsible for coordination with the 
Officer on Deck (OOD; or equivalent on non-NOAA platforms) to ensure 
that requirements, procedures, and decision-making processes are 
understood and properly implemented.
    The NEFSC will coordinate with the local Northeast Regional 
Stranding Coordinator and the NMFS Stranding Coordinator for any 
unusual protected species behavior and any stranding, beached live/
dead, or floating protected species that are encountered during field 
research activities. If a large whale is alive and entangled in fishing 
gear, the vessel will immediately call the U.S. Coast Guard at VHF Ch. 
16 and/or the appropriate Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response 
Network for instructions. All entanglements (live or dead) and vessel 
strikes must be reported immediately to the NOAA Fisheries Marine 
Mammal Stranding Hotline at 888-755-6622. In addition, any entanglement 
or vessel strike must be reported to the NMFS Protected Species 
Incidental Take database (PSIT) within 48 hours of the event happening 
(see Monitoring and Reporting).

Vessel Speed Limits and Course Alteration

    When NEFSC research vessels are actively sampling, cruise speeds 
are less than 5 knots (kts), typically 2-4 kts, a speed at which the 
probability of collision and serious injury of large whales is de 
minimus. However, transit speed between active sampling stations will 
range from 10-12 kts, except in areas where vessel speeds are regulated 
to lower speeds.
    On 9 December 2013, NMFS published a ``Final rule to remove sunset 
provision of the Final Rule Implementing Vessel Speed Restrictions to 
Reduce the Threat of Ship Collisions with NARWs'' (78 FR 73726). The 
2013 final rule continued the vessel speed restrictions to reduce the 
threat of ship collisions with NARWs that were originally published in 
a final rule on October 10, 2008 (73 FR 60173). The rule requires that 
vessels 65 feet and greater in length travel at 10 knots or less near 
key port entrances and in certain areas of right whale aggregation 
along the U.S. eastern seaboard, known as ``Seasonal Management 
Areas''. The spatial and temporal locations of SMAs from Maine to 
Florida can be found at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/endangered-species-conservation/reducing-vessel-strikes-north-atlantic-right-whales#vessel-speed-restrictions. In addition, Right Whale Slow 
Zones is a program that notifies vessel operators of areas where 
maintaining speeds of 10 knots or less can help protect right whales 
from vessel collisions. Under this program, NOAA Fisheries provides 
maps and coordinates to vessel operators indicating areas where right 
whales have been detected. Mariners are encouraged to avoid these areas 
or reduce speeds to 10 knots or less while transiting through these 
areas for 15 days. Right Whale Slow Zones are established around areas 
where right whales have been recently seen or heard. These areas are 
identical to Dynamic Management Areas (DMA) when triggered by right 
whale visual sightings, but they will also be established when right 
whale detections are confirmed from acoustic receivers. All NEFSC 
vessels over 65 ft (19.8 m)

[[Page 58457]]

will abide by all speed and course restrictions in SMAs and DMAs. Prior 
to and during research surveys, NEFSC will maintain awareness if right 
whales have been detected in transit or fishing areas.

Handling Procedures

    Handling procedures are those taken to return a live animal to the 
sea or process a dead animal. The NEFSC will implement a number of 
handling protocols to minimize potential harm to marine mammals that 
are incidentally taken during the course of fisheries research 
activities. In general, protocols have already been prepared for use on 
commercial fishing vessels. Although commercial fisheries take larger 
quantities of marine mammals than fisheries research, the nature of 
such takes by entanglement or capture are similar. Therefore, the NEFSC 
would adopt commercial fishery disentanglement and release protocols 
(summarized below), which should increase post-release survival. 
Handling or disentangling marine mammals carries inherent safety risks, 
and using best professional judgment and ensuring human safety is 
paramount.
    Captured or entangled live or injured marine mammals are released 
from research gear and returned to the water as soon as possible with 
no gear or as little gear remaining on the animal as possible. Animals 
are released without removing them from the water if possible, and data 
collection is conducted in such a manner as not to delay release of the 
animal(s) or endanger the crew. NEFSC is responsible for training NEFSC 
and partner affiliates on how to identify different species; handle and 
bring marine mammals aboard a vessel; assess the level of 
consciousness; remove fishing gear; and return marine mammals to water. 
Human safety is always the paramount concern.

Move-On Rule

    For all research surveys using gear that has the potential to hook 
or entangle a marine mammal, the NEFSC must implement move-on rule 
mitigation protocol upon observation of any marine mammal other than 
dolphins and porpoises attracted to the vessel (see specific gear types 
below for marine mammal monitoring details). Specifically, if one or 
more marine mammals (other than dolphins and porpoises) are observed 
near the sampling area 15 minutes prior to setting gear and are 
considered at risk of interacting with the vessel or research gear, or 
appear to be approaching the vessel and are considered at risk of 
interaction, NEFSC must either remain onsite or move on to another 
sampling location. If remaining onsite, the set must be delayed until 
the animal(s) depart or appear to no longer be at risk of interacting 
with the vessel or gear. If gear deployment or retrieval is suspended 
due to protected species presence, resume only after there are no 
sightings for 15 minutes within 1nm of sampling location. At such time, 
the NEFSC may deploy gear. The NEFSC must use best professional 
judgment, in making decisions related to deploying gear.

Trawl Surveys (Beam, Mid-Water, and Bottom Trawls)

    The NEFSC deploys trawl nets in all layers of the water column. For 
all beam, mid-water, and bottom trawl, the NEFSC will initiate visual 
observation for protected species no less than 15 minutes prior to gear 
deployment. NEFSC will scan the surrounding waters with the naked eye 
and rangefinding binoculars and will continue visual monitoring while 
gear is deployed. During nighttime operations, NEFSC will observe with 
the naked eye and any available vessel lighting. If protected species 
are sighted within 15 minutes before setting gear, the OOD may 
determine whether to implement the ``move-on'' rule and transit to a 
different section of the sampling area. Trawl gear will not be deployed 
if protected species are sighted near the ship unless there is no risk 
of interaction as determined by the OOD or CS. If, after moving on, 
protected species are still visible from the vessel and appear at risk, 
the OOD may decide to move again, skip the station, or wait until the 
marine mammal(s) leave the area and/or are considered no longer at 
risk. If gear deployment or retrieval is suspended due to protected 
species presence, fishing may commence after there are no sightings for 
15 minutes within 1nm of sampling location. If deploying bongo plankton 
or other small net prior to trawl gear, NEFSC will continue visual 
observations until trawl gear is ready to be deployed.
    NEFSC trawl surveys will follow the standard tow durations of no 
more than 30 minutes at target depth for distances less than 3 nautical 
miles (nm). The exceptions to the 30-minute tow duration are the 
Atlantic Herring Acoustic Pelagic Trawl Survey and the Deepwater 
Biodiversity Survey where total time in the water (deployment, fishing, 
and haul-back) is 40 to 60 minutes and 180 minutes, respectively. Trawl 
tow distances will be not more than 3 nmi to reduce the likelihood of 
incidentally taking marine mammals. Typical tow distances are 1-2 nmi, 
depending on the survey and trawl speed. Bottom trawl tows will be made 
in either straight lines or following depth contours, whereas other 
tows targeting fish aggregations and deep-water biodiversity tows may 
be made along oceanographic or bathymetric features. In all cases, 
sharp course changes will be avoided in all surveys.
    In many cases, trawl operations will be the first activity 
undertaken upon arrival at a new station, in order to reduce the 
opportunity to attract marine mammals to the vessel. However, in some 
cases it will be necessary to conduct plankton tows prior to deploying 
trawl gear in order to avoid trawling through extremely high densities 
of jellies and similar taxa that are numerous enough to severely damage 
trawl gear.
    Once the trawl net is in the water, observations will continue 
around the vessel to maintain a lookout for the presence of marine 
mammals. If marine mammals are sighted before the gear is fully 
retrieved, resume only after there are no sightings for 15 minutes 
within 1 nmi of the sampling location. The OOD may also use the most 
appropriate response to avoid incidental take in consultation with the 
CS and other experienced crew as necessary. This judgment will be based 
on his/her past experience operating gears around marine mammals and 
NEFSC training sessions that will facilitate dissemination of CS. 
Captain expertise operating in these situations (e.g., factors that 
contribute to marine mammal gear interactions and those that aid in 
successfully avoiding these events). These judgments take into 
consideration the species, numbers, and behavior of the animals, the 
status of the trawl net operation (net opening, depth, and distance 
from the stern), the time it would take to retrieve the net, and safety 
considerations for changing speed or course. For instance, a whale 
transiting through the area off in the distance might only require a 
short move from the designated station while a pod of dolphins gathered 
around the vessel may require a longer move from the station or 
possibly cancellation if they follow the vessel. It may sometimes be 
safer to continue trawling until the marine mammals have lost interest 
or transited through the area before beginning haulback operations. In 
other situations, swift retrieval of the net may be the best course of 
action. If trawling is delayed because of protected species presence, 
trawl operations only resume when the animals have no longer been 
sighted or are no longer at risk. In any case, no gear will be deployed 
if marine

[[Page 58458]]

mammals or other protected species have been sighted that may be a risk 
of interaction with gear. Gear will be retrieved immediately if marine 
mammals are believed to be at risk of entanglement or observed as being 
entangled.
    The acoustical cues generated during haulback may attract marine 
mammals. The NEFSC will continue monitoring for the presence of marine 
mammals during haulback. Care will be taken when emptying the trawl to 
avoid damage to any marine mammals that may be caught in the gear but 
are not visible upon retrieval. NEFSC will open the codend of the net 
close to the deck/sorting area to avoid damage to animals that may be 
caught in gear. The gear will be emptied as close to the deck/sorting 
area and as quickly as possible after retrieval in order to determine 
whether or not marine mammals, or any other protected species, are 
present.

Gillnet Surveys

    The NEFSC will limit gillnet soak times to the least amount of time 
required to conduct sampling. Gillnet research will only be conducted 
during daylight hours. NEFSC will conduct marine mammal monitoring 
beginning 15 minutes prior to deploying the gear and continue until 
gear is back on deck. For the COASTSPAN gillnet surveys, NEFSC must 
actively monitor for potential bottlenose dolphin entanglements by 
hand-checking the gillnet every 30 minutes or if a disturbance in the 
net is observed (even if marine mammals are not observed).
    NEFSC will pull gear immediately if disturbance in the nets is 
observed. All gillnets will be designed with minimal net slack and 
excess floating and trailing lines will be removed. NEFSC will set only 
new of fully repaired gill nets thereby eliminating holes, and modify 
nets to avoid large vertical gaps between float line and net as well as 
lead line and net when set. If a marine mammal is sighted during 
approach to a station or prior to deploying gear, nets would not be 
deployed until the animal has left the area, is on a path away from 
where the net would be set, or has not been re-sighted within 15 
minutes. Alternatively, the research team may move the vessel to an 
area clear of marine mammals. If the vessel moves, the 15-minute 
observation period is repeated. Monitoring by all available crew would 
continue while the net is being deployed, during the soak, and during 
haulback.
    If protected species are not sighted during the 15-minute 
observation period, the gear may be set. Waters surrounding the net and 
the net itself would be continuously monitored during the soak. If 
protected species are sighted during the soak and appear to be at risk 
of interaction with the gear, then the gear is pulled immediately. If 
fishing operations are halted, operations resume when animal(s) have 
not been sighted within 15 minutes or are determined to no longer be at 
risk. In other instances, the station is moved or cancelled. If any 
disturbance in the gear is observed in the gear, the net will be 
immediately checked or pulled.
    The NEFSC will clean gear prior and during deployment. The catch 
will be emptied as quickly as possible. On Observer Training cruises, 
acoustic pingers and weak links are used on all gillnets consistent 
with the regulations and TRPs for commercial fisheries. All NEFOP 
protocols are followed as per current NEFOP Observer Manual. NEFSC must 
ensure that surveys deploy acoustic deterrent devices on gillnets in 
areas where required for commercial fisheries. NEFSC must ensure that 
the devices are operating properly before deploying the net.

Longline Surveys

    Similar to other surveys, NEFSC will deploy longline gear as soon 
as practicable upon arrival on station. They will initiate visual 
observations for marine mammals no less than 15 minutes prior to 
deployment and continue until gear is back on deck. Observers will scan 
surrounding waters with the naked eye and binoculars (or monocular). 
Monitoring, albeit limited visibility, will occur during nighttime 
surveys using the naked eye and available vessel lighting. If marine 
mammals are sighted within 1nmi of the station within 15 minutes before 
setting gear, NEFSC will suspend gear deployment until the animals have 
moved on a path away from the station or implement the move-on rule. If 
gear deployment or retrieval is suspended due to presence of marine 
mammals, resume operations only after there are no sightings for at 
least 15 minutes within 1nmi of sampling location. In no case will 
longlines be deployed if animals are considered at-risk of interaction. 
When visibility allows, the OOD, CS, and crew standing watch will 
conduct set checks every 15 minutes to look for hooked, trapped, or 
entangled marine mammals. In addition, chumming is prohibited.

Fyke Net Surveys

    NEFSC will conduct monitoring of marine mammals 15 minutes prior to 
setting gear. If marine mammals are observed within 100 m of the 
station, NEFSC will delay setting the gear until the marine mammal(s) 
has moved past and on a path away from the station or implement the 
move-on rule. Similar to other gear measures, fyke nets will not be 
deployed in the animal(s) is deemed at-risk of interaction. If marine 
mammals are observed during sampling, gear will be pulled if the marine 
mammals is deemed at-risk of interacting with the gear. NEFSC will 
conduct monitoring and retrieval of gear every 12 to 24 hour soak 
period.
    Fyke nets equal or greater to 2 m will be fitted with a marine 
mammal excluder device. The exclusion device consists of a grate the 
dimensions of which were based on exclusion devices on Penobscot 
Hydroelectric fishway facilities that are four to six inches and allow 
for passage of numerous target species including river herring, eels, 
striped bass, and adult salmon. The 1-m fyke net does not require an 
excluder device as the opening is 12 cm. These small openings will 
prevent marine mammals from entering the nets.

Pot/Trap Surveys

    All pot/trap surveys will implement that same mitigation as 
described for longline surveys.

Dredge Surveys

    For all scallop and hydraulic clam dredges, the OOD, CS or others 
will scan for marine mammals for 15 minutes prior to deploying gear. If 
marine mammals are observed within 1 nm of the station, NEFSC will 
delay setting the gear until the marine mammal(s) has moved past and on 
a path away from the station or implement the move-on rule or the OOD 
or CS may implement the move-on rule. Dredge gear will not be deployed 
in the marine mammal is considered at-risk of interaction.
    Sampling will be conducted upon arrival at the station and continue 
until gear is back on deck. Similar to trawl gear, care will be taken 
when emptying the nets to avoid damage to any marine mammals that may 
be caught in the gear but are not visible upon retrieval. NEFSC will 
empty the net close to the deck/sorting area to avoid damage to marine 
mammals that may be caught in gear. The gear will be emptied as quickly 
as possible after retrieval in order to determine whether or not marine 
mammals are present.
    Based on our evaluation of these measures, NMFS has determined that 
the mitigation measures provide the means effecting the least 
practicable impact on the affected species or stocks and their habitat, 
paying particular attention to rookeries, mating grounds, and areas of 
similar significance.

[[Page 58459]]

Monitoring and Reporting

    In order to issue an IHA for an activity, section 101(a)(5)(D) of 
the MMPA states that NMFS must set forth requirements pertaining to the 
monitoring and reporting of such taking. The MMPA implementing 
regulations at 50 CFR 216.104 (a)(13) indicate that requests for 
authorizations must include the suggested means of accomplishing the 
necessary monitoring and reporting that will result in increased 
knowledge of the species and of the level of taking or impacts on 
populations of marine mammals that are expected to be present in the 
specified geographic region. Effective reporting is critical both to 
compliance as well as ensuring that the most value is obtained from the 
required monitoring.
    Monitoring and reporting requirements prescribed by NMFS should 
contribute to improved understanding of one or more of the following:
     Occurrence of marine mammal species or stocks in the area 
in which take is anticipated (e.g., presence, abundance, distribution, 
density);
     Nature, scope, or context of likely marine mammal exposure 
to potential stressors/impacts (individual or cumulative, acute or 
chronic), through better understanding of: (1) Action or environment 
(e.g., source characterization, propagation, ambient noise); (2) 
affected species (e.g., life history, dive patterns); (3) co-occurrence 
of marine mammal species with the action; or (4) biological or 
behavioral context of exposure (e.g., age, calving or feeding areas);
     Individual marine mammal responses (behavioral or 
physiological) to acoustic stressors (acute, chronic, or cumulative), 
other stressors, or cumulative impacts from multiple stressors;
     How anticipated responses to stressors impact either: (1) 
Long-term fitness and survival of individual marine mammals; or (2) 
populations, species, or stocks;
     Effects on marine mammal habitat (e.g., marine mammal prey 
species, acoustic habitat, or other important physical components of 
marine mammal habitat); and
     Mitigation and monitoring effectiveness.
    NEFSC must designate a compliance coordinator who must be 
responsible for ensuring compliance with all requirements of any LOA 
issued pursuant to these regulations and for preparing for any 
subsequent request(s) for incidental take authorization.
    Since the 2016 final rule, NEFSC has made its training, operations, 
data collection, animal handling, and sampling protocols more 
systematic in order to improve its ability to understand how mitigation 
measures influence interaction rates and ensure its research operations 
are conducted in an informed manner and consistent with lessons learned 
from those with experience operating these gears in close proximity to 
marine mammals. In addition, NMFS has established a formal incidental 
take reporting system, the PSIT database, requiring that incidental 
takes of protected species be reported within 48 hours of the 
occurrence. The PSIT generates automated messages to agency leadership 
and other relevant staff and alerts them to the event and that updated 
information describing the circumstances of the event have been 
inputted into the database. It is in this spirit that we propose the 
monitoring requirements described below.

Visual Monitoring

    Marine mammal watches are a standard part of conducting fisheries 
research activities and are implemented as described previously in the 
Mitigation section. Dedicated marine mammal visual monitoring occurs as 
described (1) for some period prior to deployment of most research 
gear; (2) throughout deployment and active fishing of all research 
gears; (3) for some period prior to retrieval of longline gear; and (4) 
throughout retrieval of all research gear. This visual monitoring is 
performed by trained NEFSC personnel or other trained crew during the 
monitoring period. Observers record the species and estimated number of 
animals present and their behaviors. This may provide valuable 
information towards an understanding of whether certain species may be 
attracted to vessels or certain survey gears. Separately, personnel on 
watch (those navigating the vessel and other crew; these will typically 
not be NEFSC personnel) monitor for marine mammals at all times when 
the vessel is being operated. The primary focus for this type of watch 
is to avoid striking marine mammals and to generally avoid navigational 
hazards. These personnel on watch typically have other duties 
associated with navigation and other vessel operations and are not 
required to record or report to the scientific party data on marine 
mammal sightings, except when gear is being deployed, soaking, or 
retrieved or when marine mammals are observed in the path of the ship 
during transit.
    NEFSC will also monitor disturbance of hauled out pinnipeds 
resulting from the presence of researchers, paying particular attention 
to the distance at which pinnipeds are disturbed. Disturbance will be 
recorded according to the three-point scale, representing increasing 
seal response to disturbance, as shown in Table 15.

Training

    NMFS considers the suite of monitoring and operational procedures 
required through this rulemaking to be necessary to avoid adverse 
interactions with protected species and still allow NEFSC to fulfill 
its scientific missions. However, some mitigation measures such as the 
move-on rule require judgments about the risk of gear interactions with 
protected species and the best procedures for minimizing that risk on a 
case-by-case basis. Vessel operators and Chief Scientists are charged 
with making those judgments at sea. They are all highly experienced 
professionals but there may be inconsistencies across the range of 
research surveys conducted and funded by NEFSC in how those judgments 
are made. In addition, some of the mitigation measures described above 
could also be considered ``best practices'' for safe seamanship and 
avoidance of hazards during fishing (e.g., prior surveillance of a 
sample site before setting trawl gear). At least for some of the 
research activities considered, explicit links between the 
implementation of these best practices and their usefulness as 
mitigation measures for avoidance of protected species may not have 
been formalized and clearly communicated with all scientific parties 
and vessel operators. NMFS therefore proposes a series of improvements 
to NEFSC protected species training, awareness, and reporting 
procedures. NMFS expects these new procedures will facilitate and 
improve the implementation of the mitigation measures described above.
    NEFSC will continue to use the process for its Chief Scientists and 
vessel operators to communicate with each other about their experiences 
with marine mammal interactions during research work with the goal of 
improving decision-making regarding avoidance of adverse interactions. 
As noted above, there are many situations where professional judgment 
is used to decide the best course of action for avoiding marine mammal 
interactions before and during the time research gear is in the water. 
The intent of this mitigation measure is to draw on the collective 
experience of people who have been making those decisions, provide a 
forum for the exchange of information about what went right and what 
went wrong, and try to determine

[[Page 58460]]

if there are any rules-of-thumb or key factors to consider that would 
help in future decisions regarding avoidance practices. NEFSC would 
coordinate not only among its staff and vessel captains but also with 
those from other fisheries science centers and institutions with 
similar experience.
    NEFSC would also continue utilizing the formalized marine mammal 
training program required for all NEFSC research projects and for all 
crew members that may be posted on monitoring duty or handle 
incidentally caught marine mammals. Training programs would be 
conducted on a regular basis and would include topics such as 
monitoring and sighting protocols, species identification, decision-
making factors for avoiding take, procedures for handling and 
documenting marine mammals caught in research gear, and reporting 
requirements. The Observer Program currently provides protected species 
training (and other types of training) for NMFS-certified observers 
placed on board commercial fishing vessels. NEFSC Chief Scientists and 
appropriate members of NEFSC research crews will be trained using 
similar monitoring, data collection, and reporting protocols for marine 
mammal as is required by the Observer Program. All NEFSC research crew 
members that may be assigned to monitor for the presence of marine 
mammals during future surveys will be required to attend an initial 
training course and refresher courses annually or as necessary. The 
implementation of this training program would formalize and standardize 
the information provided to all research crew that might experience 
marine mammal interactions during research activities.
    For all NEFSC research projects and vessels, written cruise 
instructions and protocols for avoiding adverse interactions with 
marine mammals will be reviewed and, if found insufficient, made fully 
consistent with the Observer Program training materials and any 
guidance on decision-making that arises out of the two training 
opportunities described above. In addition, informational placards and 
reporting procedures will be reviewed and updated as necessary for 
consistency and accuracy. All NEFSC research cruises already include 
pre-sail review of marine mammal protocols for affected crew but NEFSC 
will also review its briefing instructions for consistency and 
accuracy.
    NEFSC will continue to coordinate with GARFO, NEFSC fishery 
scientists, NOAA research vessel personnel, and other NMFS staff as 
appropriate to review data collection, marine mammal interactions, and 
refine data collection and mitigation protocols, as required. NEFSC 
will also coordinate with NMFS' Office of Science and Technology to 
ensure training and guidance related to handling procedures and data 
collection is consistent with other fishery science centers, where 
appropriate.

Reporting

    NMFS has established a formal incidental take reporting system, the 
Protected Species Incidental Take (PSIT) database, requiring that 
incidental takes of protected species be reported within 48 hours of 
the occurrence. The PSIT generates automated messages to NMFS 
leadership and other relevant staff, alerting them to the event and to 
the fact that updated information describing the circumstances of the 
event has been inputted to the database. The PSIT and CS reports 
represent not only valuable real-time reporting and information 
dissemination tools but also serve as an archive of information that 
may be mined in the future to study why takes occur by species, gear, 
region, etc. The NEFSC is required to report all takes of protected 
species, including marine mammals, to this database within 48 hours of 
the occurrence and following standard protocol.
    In the unanticipated event that NEFSC fisheries research activities 
clearly cause the take of a marine mammal in a prohibited manner, NEFSC 
personnel engaged in the research activity must immediately cease such 
activity until such time as an appropriate decision regarding activity 
continuation can be made by the NEFSC Director (or designee). The 
incident must be reported immediately to OPR and the NMFS GARFO. OPR 
will review the circumstances of the prohibited take and work with 
NEFSC to determine what measures are necessary to minimize the 
likelihood of further prohibited take and ensure MMPA compliance. The 
immediate decision made by NEFSC regarding continuation of the 
specified activity is subject to OPR concurrence. The report must 
include the following information:
    (i) Time, date, and location (latitude/longitude) of the incident;
    (ii) Description of the incident including, but not limited to, 
monitoring prior to and occurring at time of the incident;
    (iii) Environmental conditions (e.g., wind speed and direction, 
Beaufort sea state, cloud cover, visibility);
    (iv) Description of all marine mammal observations in the 24 hours 
preceding the incident;
    (v) Species identification or description of the animal(s) 
involved;
    (vi) Status of all sound source use in the 24 hours preceding the 
incident;
    (vii) Water depth;
    (viii) Fate of the animal(s) (e.g., dead, injured but alive, 
injured and moving, blood or tissue observed in the water, status 
unknown, disappeared, etc.); and
    (ix) Photographs or video footage of the animal(s).
    In the event that NEFSC discovers an injured or dead marine mammal 
and determines that the cause of the injury or death is unknown and the 
death is relatively recent (e.g., in less than a moderate state of 
decomposition), NEFSC must immediately report the incident to OPR and 
the NMFS GARFO The report must include the information identified 
above. Activities may continue while OPR reviews the circumstances of 
the incident. OPR will work with NEFSC to determine whether additional 
mitigation measures or modifications to the activities are appropriate.
    In the event that NEFSC discovers an injured or dead marine mammal 
and determines that the injury or death is not associated with or 
related to NEFSC fisheries research activities (e.g., previously 
wounded animal, carcass with moderate to advanced decomposition, 
scavenger damage), NEFSC must report the incident to OPR and GARFO, 
NMFS, within 24 hours of the discovery. NEFSC must provide photographs 
or video footage or other documentation of the stranded animal sighting 
to OPR.
    In the event of a ship strike of a marine mammal by any NEFSC or 
partner vessel involved in the activities covered by the authorization, 
NEFSC or partner must immediately report the information described 
above, as well as the following additional information:
    (i) Vessel's speed during and leading up to the incident;
    (ii) Vessel's course/heading and what operations were being 
conducted;
    (iii) Status of all sound sources in use;
    (iv) Description of avoidance measures/requirements that were in 
place at the time of the strike and what additional measures were 
taken, if any, to avoid strike;
    (v) Estimated size and length of animal that was struck; and
    (vi) Description of the behavior of the marine mammal immediately 
preceding and following the strike.
    NEFSC will also collect and report all necessary data, to the 
extent practicable given the primacy of human safety and the well-being 
of captured or entangled marine mammals, to facilitate serious injury 
(SI) determinations for marine

[[Page 58461]]

mammals that are released alive. NEFSC will require that the CS 
complete data forms and address supplemental questions, both of which 
have been developed to aid in SI determinations. NEFSC understands the 
critical need to provide as much relevant information as possible about 
marine mammal interactions to inform decisions regarding SI 
determinations. In addition, the NEFSC will perform all necessary 
reporting to ensure that any incidental M/SI is incorporated as 
appropriate into relevant SARs.

Negligible Impact Analysis and Determination

    Introduction--NMFS has defined negligible impact as an impact 
resulting from the specified activity that cannot be reasonably 
expected to, and is not reasonably likely to, adversely affect the 
species or stock through effects on annual rates of recruitment or 
survival (50 CFR 216.103). A negligible impact finding is based on the 
lack of likely adverse effects on annual rates of recruitment or 
survival (i.e., population-level effects). An estimate of the number of 
takes alone is not enough information on which to base an impact 
determination. In addition to considering estimates of the number of 
marine mammals that might be ``taken'' by mortality, serious injury, 
and Level A or Level B harassment, we consider other factors, such as 
the likely nature of any behavioral responses (e.g., intensity, 
duration), the context of any such responses (e.g., critical 
reproductive time or location, migration), as well as effects on 
habitat, and the likely effectiveness of mitigation. We also assess the 
number, intensity, and context of estimated takes by evaluating this 
information relative to population status. Consistent with the 1989 
preamble for NMFS' implementing regulations (54 FR 40338; September 29, 
1989), the impacts from other past and ongoing anthropogenic activities 
are incorporated into this analysis via their impacts on the baseline 
(e.g., as reflected in the regulatory status of the species, population 
size and growth rate where known, ongoing sources of human-caused 
mortality, and specific consideration of take by M/SI previously 
authorized for other NMFS research activities).
    We note here that the takes from potential gear interactions 
enumerated below could result in non-serious injury, but their worst 
potential outcome (mortality) is analyzed for the purposes of the 
negligible impact determination. We discuss here the connection, and 
differences, between the legal mechanisms for authorizing incidental 
take under section 101(a)(5) for activities such as NEFSC's research 
activities, and for authorizing incidental take from commercial 
fisheries. In 1988, Congress amended the MMPA's provisions for 
addressing incidental take of marine mammals in commercial fishing 
operations. Congress directed NMFS to develop and recommend a new long-
term regime to govern such incidental taking (see MMC, 1994). The need 
to develop a system suited to the unique circumstances of commercial 
fishing operations led NMFS to suggest a new conceptual means and 
associated regulatory framework. That concept, PBR, and a system for 
developing plans containing regulatory and voluntary measures to reduce 
incidental take for fisheries that exceed PBR were incorporated as 
sections 117 and 118 in the 1994 amendments to the MMPA.
    PBR is defined in section 3 of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1362(20)) as the 
maximum number of animals, not including natural mortalities, that may 
be removed from a marine mammal stock while allowing that stock to 
reach or maintain its optimum sustainable population (OSP) and, 
although not controlling, can be one measure considered among other 
factors when evaluating the effects of M/SI on a marine mammal species 
or stock during the section 101(a)(5)(A) process. OSP is defined in 
section 3 of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1362(9)) as the number of animals 
which will result in the maximum productivity of the population or the 
species, keeping in mind the carrying capacity of the habitat and the 
health of the ecosystem of which they form a constituent element. 
Through section 2, an overarching goal of the statute is to ensure that 
each species or stock of marine mammal is maintained at or returned to 
its OSP.
    PBR values are calculated by NMFS as the level of annual removal 
from a stock that will allow that stock to equilibrate within OSP at 
least 95 percent of the time, and is the product of factors relating to 
the minimum population estimate of the stock (Nmin), the 
productivity rate of the stock at a small population size, and a 
recovery factor. Determination of appropriate values for these three 
elements incorporates significant precaution, such that application of 
the parameter to the management of marine mammal stocks may be 
reasonably certain to achieve the goals of the MMPA. For example, 
calculation of Nmin incorporates the precision and 
variability associated with abundance information, while also providing 
reasonable assurance that the stock size is equal to or greater than 
the estimate (Barlow et al., 1995). In general, the three factors are 
developed on a stock-specific basis in consideration of one another in 
order to produce conservative PBR values that appropriately account for 
both imprecision that may be estimated, as well as potential bias 
stemming from lack of knowledge (Wade, 1998).
    Congress called for PBR to be applied within the management 
framework for commercial fishing incidental take under section 118 of 
the MMPA. As a result, PBR cannot be applied appropriately outside of 
the section 118 regulatory framework without consideration of how it 
applies within the section 118 framework, as well as how the other 
statutory management frameworks in the MMPA differ from the framework 
in section 118. PBR was not designed and is not used as an absolute 
threshold limiting commercial fisheries. Rather, it serves as a means 
to evaluate the relative impacts of those activities on marine mammal 
stocks. Even where commercial fishing is causing M/SI at levels that 
exceed PBR, the fishery is not suspended. When M/SI exceeds PBR in the 
commercial fishing context under section 118, NMFS may develop a take 
reduction plan, usually with the assistance of a take reduction team. 
The take reduction plan will include measures to reduce and/or minimize 
the taking of marine mammals by commercial fisheries to a level below 
the stock's PBR. That is, where the total annual human-caused M/SI 
exceeds PBR, NMFS is not required to halt fishing activities 
contributing to total M/SI but rather utilizes the take reduction 
process to further mitigate the effects of fishery activities via 
additional bycatch reduction measures. In other words, under section 
118 of the MMPA, PBR does not serve as a strict cap on the operation of 
commercial fisheries that may incidentally take marine mammals.
    Similarly, to the extent PBR may be relevant when considering the 
impacts of incidental take from activities other than commercial 
fisheries, using it as the sole reason to deny (or issue) incidental 
take authorization for those activities would be inconsistent with 
Congress's intent under section 101(a)(5), NMFS' long-standing 
regulatory definition of ``negligible impact,'' and the use of PBR 
under section 118. The standard for authorizing incidental take for 
activities other than commercial fisheries under section 101(a)(5) 
continues to be, among other things that are not related to PBR, 
whether the total taking will have a negligible impact on the species 
or stock. Nowhere does section 101(a)(5)(A) reference use of PBR to

[[Page 58462]]

make the negligible impact finding or authorize incidental take through 
multi-year regulations, nor does its companion provision at 
101(a)(5)(D) for authorizing non-lethal incidental take under the same 
negligible-impact standard. NMFS' MMPA implementing regulations state 
that take has a negligible impact when it does not adversely affect the 
species or stock through effects on annual rates of recruitment or 
survival--likewise without reference to PBR. When Congress amended the 
MMPA in 1994 to add section 118 for commercial fishing, it did not 
alter the standards for authorizing non-commercial fishing incidental 
take under section 101(a)(5), implicitly acknowledging that the 
negligible impact standard under section 101(a)(5) is separate from the 
PBR metric under section 118. In fact, in 1994 Congress also amended 
section 101(a)(5)(E) (a separate provision governing commercial fishing 
incidental take for species listed under the Endangered Species Act) to 
add compliance with the new section 118 but retained the standard of 
the negligible impact finding under section 101(a)(5)(A) (and section 
101(a)(5)(D)), showing that Congress understood that the determination 
of negligible impact and application of PBR may share certain features 
but are, in fact, different.
    Since the introduction of PBR in 1994, NMFS had used the concept 
almost entirely within the context of implementing sections 117 and 118 
and other commercial fisheries management-related provisions of the 
MMPA. Prior to the Court's ruling in Conservation Council for Hawaii v. 
National Marine Fisheries Service, 97 F. Supp. 3d 1210 (D. Haw. 2015) 
and consideration of PBR in a series of section 101(a)(5) rulemakings, 
there were a few examples where PBR had informed agency deliberations 
under other MMPA sections and programs, such as playing a role in the 
issuance of a few scientific research permits and subsistence takings. 
But as the Court found when reviewing examples of past PBR 
consideration in Georgia Aquarium v. Pritzker, 135 F. Supp. 3d 1280 
(N.D. Ga. 2015), where NMFS had considered PBR outside the commercial 
fisheries context, ``it has treated PBR as only one `quantitative tool' 
and [has not used it] as the sole basis for its impact analyses.'' 
Further, the agency's thoughts regarding the appropriate role of PBR in 
relation to MMPA programs outside the commercial fishing context have 
evolved since the agency's early application of PBR to section 
101(a)(5) decisions. Specifically, NMFS' denial of a request for 
incidental take authorization for the U.S. Coast Guard in 1996 
seemingly was based on the potential for lethal take in relation to PBR 
and did not appear to consider other factors that might also have 
informed the potential for ship strike in relation to negligible impact 
(61 FR 54157; October 17, 1996).
    The MMPA requires that PBR be estimated in SARs and that it be used 
in applications related to the management of take incidental to 
commercial fisheries (i.e., the take reduction planning process 
described in section 118 of the MMPA and the determination of whether a 
stock is ``strategic'' as defined in section 3), but nothing in the 
statute requires the application of PBR outside the management of 
commercial fisheries interactions with marine mammals. Nonetheless, 
NMFS recognizes that as a quantitative metric, PBR may be useful as a 
consideration when evaluating the impacts of other human-caused 
activities on marine mammal stocks. Outside the commercial fishing 
context, and in consideration of all known human-caused mortality, PBR 
can help inform the potential effects of M/SI requested to be 
authorized under 101(a)(5)(A). As noted by NMFS and the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service in our implementation regulations for the 1986 
amendments to the MMPA (54 FR 40341, September 29, 1989), the Services 
consider many factors, when available, in making a negligible impact 
determination, including, but not limited to, the status of the species 
or stock relative to OSP (if known); whether the recruitment rate for 
the species or stock is increasing, decreasing, stable, or unknown; the 
size and distribution of the population; and existing impacts and 
environmental conditions. In this multi-factor analysis, PBR can be a 
useful indicator for when, and to what extent, the agency should take 
an especially close look at the circumstances associated with the 
potential mortality, along with any other factors that could influence 
annual rates of recruitment or survival.
    When considering PBR during evaluation of effects of M/SI under 
section 101(a)(5)(A), we first calculate a metric for each species or 
stock that incorporates information regarding ongoing anthropogenic M/
SI into the PBR value (i.e., PBR minus the total annual anthropogenic 
mortality/serious injury estimate in the SAR), which is called 
``residual PBR'' (Wood et al., 2012). We first focus our analysis on 
residual PBR because it incorporates anthropogenic mortality occurring 
from other sources. If the ongoing human-caused mortality from other 
sources does not exceed PBR, then residual PBR is a positive number, 
and we consider how the anticipated or potential incidental M/SI from 
the activities being evaluated compares to residual PBR using the 
framework in the following paragraph. If the ongoing anthropogenic 
mortality from other sources already exceeds PBR, then residual PBR is 
a negative number and we consider the M/SI from the activities being 
evaluated as described further below.
    When ongoing total anthropogenic mortality from the applicant's 
specified activities does not exceed PBR and residual PBR is a positive 
number, as a simplifying analytical tool we first consider whether the 
specified activities could cause incidental M/SI that is less than 10 
percent of residual PBR (the ``insignificance threshold,'' see below). 
If so, we consider M/SI from the specified activities to represent an 
insignificant incremental increase in ongoing anthropogenic M/SI for 
the marine mammal stock in question that alone (i.e., in the absence of 
any other take) will not adversely affect annual rates of recruitment 
and survival. As such, this amount of M/SI would not be expected to 
affect rates of recruitment or survival in a manner resulting in more 
than a negligible impact on the affected stock unless there are other 
factors that could affect reproduction or survival, such as Level A 
and/or Level B harassment, or other considerations such as information 
that illustrates uncertainty involved in the calculation of PBR for 
some stocks. In a few prior incidental take rulemakings, this threshold 
was identified as the ``significance threshold,'' but it is more 
accurately labeled an insignificance threshold, and so we use that 
terminology here. Assuming that any additional incidental take by Level 
A or Level B harassment from the activities in question would not 
combine with the effects of the authorized M/SI to exceed the 
negligible impact level, the anticipated M/SI caused by the activities 
being evaluated would have a negligible impact on the species or stock. 
However, M/SI above the 10 percent insignificance threshold does not 
indicate that the M/SI associated with the specified activities is 
approaching a level that would necessarily exceed negligible impact. 
Rather, the 10 percent insignificance threshold is meant only to 
identify instances where additional analysis of the anticipated M/SI is 
not required because the negligible impact standard clearly will not be 
exceeded on that basis alone.

[[Page 58463]]

    Where the anticipated M/SI is near, at, or above residual PBR, 
consideration of other factors (positive or negative), including those 
outlined above, as well as mitigation is especially important to 
assessing whether the M/SI will have a negligible impact on the species 
or stock. PBR is a conservative metric and not sufficiently precise to 
serve as an absolute predictor of population effects upon which 
mortality caps would appropriately be based. For example, in some cases 
stock abundance (which is one of three key inputs into the PBR 
calculation) is underestimated because marine mammal survey data within 
the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) are used to calculate the 
abundance even when the stock range extends well beyond the U.S. EEZ. 
An underestimate of abundance could result in an underestimate of PBR. 
Alternatively, we sometimes may not have complete M/SI data beyond the 
U.S. EEZ to compare to PBR, which could result in an overestimate of 
residual PBR. The accuracy and certainty around the data that feed any 
PBR calculation, such as the abundance estimates, must be carefully 
considered to evaluate whether the calculated PBR accurately reflects 
the circumstances of the particular stock. M/SI that exceeds PBR may 
still potentially be found to be negligible in light of other factors 
that offset concern, especially when robust mitigation and adaptive 
management provisions are included.
    PBR was designed as a tool for evaluating mortality and is defined 
as the number of animals that can be removed while allowing that stock 
to reach or maintain its OSP. OSP is defined as a population that falls 
within a range from the population level that is the largest 
supportable within the ecosystem to the population level that results 
in maximum net productivity, and thus is an aspirational management 
goal of the overall statute with no specific timeframe by which it 
should be met. PBR is designed to ensure minimal deviation from this 
overarching goal, with the formula for PBR typically ensuring that 
growth towards OSP is not reduced by more than 10 percent (or 
equilibrates to OSP 95 percent of the time). As PBR is applied by NMFS, 
it provides that growth toward OSP is not reduced by more than 10 
percent, which certainly allows a stock to reach or maintain its OSP in 
a conservative and precautionary manner--and we can therefore clearly 
conclude that if PBR were not exceeded, there would not be adverse 
effects on the affected species or stocks. Nonetheless, it is equally 
clear that in some cases the time to reach this aspirational OSP level 
could be slowed by more than 10 percent (i.e., total human-caused 
mortality in excess of PBR could be allowed) without adversely 
affecting a species or stock through effects on its rates of 
recruitment or survival. Thus even in situations where the inputs to 
calculate PBR are thought to accurately represent factors such as the 
species' or stock's abundance or productivity rate, it is still 
possible for incidental take to have a negligible impact on the species 
or stock even where M/SI exceeds residual PBR or PBR.
    PBR is helpful in informing the analysis of the effects of 
mortality on a species or stock because it is important from a 
biological perspective to be able to consider how the total mortality 
in a given year may affect the population. However, section 
101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA indicates that NMFS shall authorize the 
requested incidental take from a specified activity if we find that the 
total of such taking [i.e., from the specified activity] will have a 
negligible impact on such species or stock. In other words, the task 
under the statute is to evaluate the applicant's anticipated take in 
relation to their take's impact on the species or stock, not other 
entities' impacts on the species or stock. Neither the MMPA nor NMFS' 
implementing regulations call for consideration of other unrelated 
activities and their impacts on the species or stock. In fact, in 
response to public comments on the implementing regulations NMFS 
explained that such effects are not considered in making negligible 
impact findings under section 101(a)(5), although the extent to which a 
species or stock is being impacted by other anthropogenic activities is 
not ignored. Such effects are reflected in the baseline of existing 
impacts as reflected in the species' or stock's abundance, 
distribution, reproductive rate, and other biological indicators.
    Our evaluation of the M/SI for each of the species and stocks for 
which M/SI could occur follows. In addition, all mortality authorized 
for some of the same species or stocks over the next several years 
pursuant to our final rulemakings for the NMFS Southeast Fisheries 
Science Center (SEFSC) and U.S. Navy has been incorporated into the 
residual PBR. By considering the maximum potential incidental M/SI in 
relation to PBR and ongoing sources of anthropogenic mortality, we 
begin our evaluation of whether the potential incremental addition of 
M/SI through NEFSC research activities may affect the species' or 
stocks' annual rates of recruitment or survival. We also consider the 
interaction of those mortalities with incidental taking of that species 
or stock by harassment pursuant to the specified activity.
    We first consider maximum potential incidental M/SI for each stock 
(Table 10) in consideration of NMFS's threshold for identifying 
insignificant M/SI take (10 percent of residual PBR (69 FR 43338; July 
20, 2004)). By considering the maximum potential incidental M/SI in 
relation to PBR and ongoing sources of anthropogenic mortality, we 
begin our evaluation of whether the potential incremental addition of 
M/SI through NEFSC research activities may affect the species' or 
stock's annual rates of recruitment or survival. We also consider the 
interaction of those mortalities with incidental taking of that species 
or stock by harassment pursuant to the specified activity.

Summary of Estimated Incidental Take

    Here we provide a summary of the total incidental take 
authorization on an annual basis, as well as other information relevant 
to the negligible impact analysis. Table 19 shows information relevant 
to our negligible impact analysis concerning the annual amount of M/SI 
take that could occur for each stock when considering the authorized 
incidental take along with other sources of M/SI. As noted previously, 
although some gear interactions may result in Level A harassment or the 
release of an uninjured animal, for the purposes of the negligible 
impact analysis, we assume that all of these takes could potentially be 
in the form of M/SI.
    We previously authorized take of marine mammals incidental to 
fisheries research operations conducted by the SEFSC (see 85 FR 27028, 
May 6, 2020) and U.S. Navy (84 FR 70712, December 23, 2019). This take 
would occur to some of the same stocks for which we may authorize take 
incidental to NEFSC fisheries research operations. Therefore, in order 
to evaluate the likely impact of the take by M/SI in this rule, we 
consider not only other ongoing sources of human-caused mortality but 
the potential mortality authorized for SEFSC fisheries and ecosystem 
research and U.S. Navy testing and training in the Atlantic Ocean. As 
used in this document, other ongoing sources of human-caused 
(anthropogenic) mortality refers to estimates of realized or actual 
annual mortality reported in the SARs and does not include authorized 
or unknown mortality. Below, we consider the total taking by M/SI for 
NEFSC activities and previously authorized for SEFSC and Navy 
activities together to produce a

[[Page 58464]]

maximum annual M/SI take level (including take of unidentified marine 
mammals that could accrue to any relevant stock) and compare that value 
to the stock's PBR value, considering ongoing sources of anthropogenic 
mortality. PBR and annual M/SI values considered in Table 19 reflect 
the most recent information available (i.e., draft 2020 SARs).

                   Table 19--Summary Information Related to NEFSC Annual Take by Mortality or Serious Injury Authorization, 2021-2026.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      NEFSC M/SI                                       Navy AFTT              Total M/SI
              Species                       Stock            Stock       take         PBR      Annual M/  SEFSC take  take by M/     r-PBR    take r-PBR
                                                           abundance   (annual)                   SI        by M/SI       SI                   (percent)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minke whale.......................  Canadian East Coast.       2,591           1         170        10.6           0        0.14      159.26        0.63
Risso's dolphin...................  W North Atlantic....      35,493         0.6         303        54.3         0.2           0       248.5        0.24
Atlantic white-sided dolphin......                            93,233         0.6         544          26           0         1.4       516.6        0.12
White-beaked common dolphin.......                           536,016         0.4       4,153           0           0           0        4153        0.01
Short-beaked common dolphin.......                           172,974         1.4       1,452         399         0.8           0      1052.2        0.13
Atlantic spotted dolphin..........                            39,921         0.4         320           0         0.8           0       319.2        0.13
bottlenose dolphin................  (offshore stock)....      62,851         1.6         519          28         0.8           0       490.2        0.33
bottlenose dolphin................  (N migratory stock).       6,639         1.6          48   12.2-21.5         0.8           0     25.7-35          <1
bottlenose dolphin................  (S migratory stock).       3,751         0.2          23   0 to 18.3         0.8           0    3.9-22.2     <7.8-70
Harbor porpoise...................  GoM/Bay of Fundy....      95,543         1.4         851         217         0.2           0       633.8        0.22
Harbor seal.......................  W North Atlantic....      75,834           5       2,006         350         0.2           0       1,656        0.30
Gray seal.........................                            27,131           5       1,389      47,296         0.2           0     -45,907  ..........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    All but one stocks that may potentially be taken by M/SI fall below 
the insignificance threshold (i.e., 10 percent of residual PBR). The 
annual take of grey seals is above the insignificance threshold.

Stocks With M/SI Below the Insignificance Threshold

    As noted above, for a species or stock with incidental M/SI less 
than 10 percent of residual PBR, we consider M/SI from the specified 
activities to represent an insignificant incremental increase in 
ongoing anthropogenic M/SI that alone (i.e., in the absence of any 
other take and barring any other unusual circumstances) will clearly 
not adversely affect annual rates of recruitment and survival. In this 
case, as shown in Table 19, the following species or stocks have M/SI 
from NEFSC fisheries research below their insignificance threshold: 
Minke whale (Canadian east coast); Risso's dolphin; the Western North 
Atlantic stocks of Atlantic white-sided dolphin; White-beaked common 
dolphin; Short-beaked common dolphin; Atlantic spotted dolphin; 
bottlenose dolphin (offshore and Northern migratory); harbor porpoise 
(Gulf of Marine/Bay of Fundy), and harbor seal (Western North 
Atlantic).
    For these stocks with authorized M/SI below the insignificance 
threshold, there are no other known factors, information, or unusual 
circumstances that indicate anticipated M/SI below the insignificance 
threshold could have adverse effects on annual rates of recruitment or 
survival and they are not discussed further.

Stocks With M/SI Above the Insignificance Threshold

    There is one stock for which we propose to authorize take where the 
annual rate of M/SI is above the 10 percent insignificance threshold: 
The western North Atlantic stock of gray seals. For this species, we 
explain below why we have determined the take is not expected or likely 
to adversely affect the species or stock through effects on annual 
rates of recruitment or survival.
    At first glance, the annual rate of mortality of gray seals exceeds 
PBR in absence of any take authorized here or in other LOAs. However, 
the size of population reported in the SAR (and consequently the PBR 
value) is estimated separately for the portion of the population in 
Canada versus the U.S., and mainly reflects the size of the breeding 
population in each respective country. However, the annual estimated 
human-caused mortality and serious injury values in the SAR reflects 
both U.S. and Canada M/SI. For the period 2014-2018, the average annual 
estimated human-caused mortality and serious injury to gray seals in 
the U.S. and Canada was 4,729 (953 U.S./3,776 Canada) per year. 
Therefore, The U.S. portion of 2013-2017 average annual human-caused 
mortality and serious injury during 2014-2018 in U.S. waters does not 
exceed the portion of PBR in of the U.S. waters portion of the stocks 
but is still high (approximately 68 percent of PBR).
    In U.S. waters, the number of pupping sites has increased from 1 in 
1988 to 9 in 2019, and are located in Maine and Massachusetts (Wood et 
al. 2019). Mean rates of increase in the number of pups born at various 
times since 1988 at 4 of the more frequently surveyed pupping sites 
(Muskeget, Monomoy, Seal, and Green Islands) ranged from -0.2 percent 
(95 percent CI: -2.3-1.9) to 26.3 percent (95 percent CI: 21.6-31.4) 
(Wood et al. 2019). These high rates of increase provide further 
support that seals from other areas are continually supplementing the 
breeding population in U.S. waters. From 1988-2019, the estimated mean 
rate of increase in the number of pups born was 12.8 percent on 
Muskeget Island, 26.3 percent on Monomoy Island, 11.5 percent on Seal 
Island, and -0.2 percent on Green Island (Wood et al. 2019). These 
rates only reflect new recruits to the population and do not reflect 
changes in total population growth resulting from Canadian seals 
migrating to the region. Overall, the total population of gray seals in 
Canada was estimated to be increasing by 4.4 percent per year from 
1960-2016 (Hammill et al. 2017). The status of the gray seal population 
relative to OSP in U.S. Atlantic EEZ waters is unknown, but the stock's 
abundance appears to be increasing in both Canadian and U.S. waters. 
For these reasons, the issuance of the M/SI take is not likely to 
affect annual rates of recruitment of survival.

Acoustic Effects

    As described in greater depth previously, the NEFSC's use of active 
acoustic sources has the likely potential to result in no greater than 
Level B (behavioral) harassment of marine mammals. Level A harassment 
is not an anticipated outcome of exposure, and we are not proposing to 
authorize it. Marine mammals are expected to have

[[Page 58465]]

short-term, minor behavioral reactions to exposure such as moving away 
from the source. Some marine mammals (e.g., delphinids) may choose to 
bow ride the source vessel; in which case exposure is expected to have 
no effect on behavior. For the majority of species, the amount of 
annual take by Level B harassment is very low (less than 1 percent) in 
relation to the population abundance estimate. For stocks above 1 
percent (n = 3), the amount of annual take by Level B harassment is 
less than 12 percent.
    We have produced what we believe to be conservative estimates of 
potential incidents of Level B harassment. The procedure for producing 
these estimates, described in detail in the notice of proposed 
rulemaking for the initial LOA (80 FR 39542, July 9, 2015) and 
summarized earlier in the Estimated Take section, represents NMFS' best 
effort towards balancing the need to quantify the potential for 
occurrence of Level B harassment due to production of underwater sound 
with a general lack of information related to the specific way that 
these acoustic signals, which are generally highly directional and 
transient, interact with the physical environment and to a meaningful 
understanding of marine mammal perception of these signals and 
occurrence in the areas where the NEFSC operates. The sources 
considered here have moderate to high output frequencies (10 to 200 
kHz), generally short ping durations, and are typically focused (highly 
directional) to serve their intended purpose of mapping specific 
objects, depths, or environmental features. In addition, some of these 
sources can be operated in different output modes (e.g., energy can be 
distributed among multiple output beams) that may lessen the likelihood 
of perception by and potential impacts on marine mammals in comparison 
with the quantitative estimates that guide our take authorization.
    In particular, low-frequency hearing specialists (i.e., mysticetes) 
are less likely to perceive or, given perception, to react to these 
signals. As described previously, NEFSC determined that the EK60, ME 
70, and DSM 300 sources comprise the total effective exposures relative 
to line-kilometers surveyed. Acoustic disturbance takes are calculated 
for these three dominant sources. Of these dominant acoustic sources, 
only the EK 60 can use a frequency within the hearing range of baleen 
whales (18k Hz). Therefore, Level B harassment of baleen whales is only 
expected for exposure to the EK60. The other two dominant sources are 
outside of their hearing range. There is some minimal potential for 
temporary effects to hearing for certain marine mammals, but most 
effects would likely be limited to temporary behavioral disturbance. 
Effects on individuals that are taken by Level B harassment will likely 
be limited to reactions such as increased swimming speeds, increased 
surfacing time, or decreased foraging (if such activity were 
occurring), reactions that are considered to be of low severity (e.g., 
Southall et al., 2007). There is the potential for behavioral reactions 
of greater severity, including displacement, but because of the 
directional nature of the sources considered here and because the 
source is itself moving, these outcomes are unlikely and would be of 
short duration if they did occur. Although there is no information on 
which to base any distinction between incidents of harassment and 
individuals harassed, the same factors, in conjunction with the fact 
that NEFSC survey effort is widely dispersed in space and time, 
indicate that repeated exposures of the same individuals would be 
unlikely. The acoustic sources proposed to be used by NEFSC are 
generally of low source level, higher frequency, and narrow beamwidth. 
As described previously, there is some minimal potential for temporary 
effects to hearing for certain marine mammals, but most effects would 
likely be limited to temporary behavioral disturbance. Effects on 
individuals that are taken by Level B harassment will likely be limited 
to reactions such as increased swimming speeds, increased surfacing 
time, or decreased foraging (if such activity were occurring), 
reactions that are considered to be of low severity (e.g., Ellison et 
al., 2012). Individuals may move away from the source if disturbed; 
however, because the source is itself moving and because of the 
directional nature of the sources considered here, there is unlikely to 
be even temporary displacement from areas of significance and any 
disturbance would be of short duration. The areas ensonified above the 
Level B harassment threshold during NEFSC surveys are extremely small 
relative to the overall survey areas. Although there is no information 
on which to base any distinction between incidents of harassment and 
individuals harassed, the same factors, in conjunction with the fact 
that NEFSC survey effort is widely dispersed in space and time, 
indicate that repeated exposures of the same individuals would be very 
unlikely. The short term, minor behavioral responses that may occur 
incidental to NEFSC use of acoustic sources, are not expected to result 
in impacts the reproduction or survival of any individuals, much less 
have an adverse impact on the population.
    Similarly, disturbance of pinnipeds by researchers are expected to 
be infrequent and cause only a temporary disturbance on the order of 
minutes. This level of periodic incidental harassment would have 
temporary effects and would not be expected to alter the continued use 
of the tidal ledges by seals. Anecdotal reports from previous 
monitoring show that the pinnipeds returned to the various sites and 
did not permanently abandon haulout sites after the NEFSC conducted 
their research activities. Monitoring results from other activities 
involving the disturbance of pinnipeds and relevant studies of pinniped 
populations that experience more regular vessel disturbance indicate 
that individually significant or population level impacts are unlikely 
to occur. When considering the individual animals likely affected by 
this disturbance, only a small fraction of the estimated population 
abundance of the affected stocks would be expected to experience the 
disturbance. Therefore, the NEFSC activity cannot be reasonably 
expected to, and is not reasonably likely to, adversely affect species 
or stocks through effects on annual rates of recruitment or survival.

Conclusions

    In summary, as described in the Serious Injury and Mortality 
section, the takes by serious injury or mortality from NEFSC 
activities, alone, are unlikely to adversely affect any species or 
stock through effects on annual rates of recruitment or survival. 
Further, the low severity and magnitude of expected Level B harassment 
is not predicted to affect the reproduction or survival of any 
individual marine mammals, much less the rates of recruitment or 
survival of any species or stock. Therefore, the authorized Level B 
harassment, alone or in combination with the M/SI authorized for some 
species or stocks, will result in a negligible impact on the effected 
stocks and species.
    Based on the analysis contained herein of the likely effects of the 
specified activity on marine mammals and their habitat, and taking into 
consideration the implementation of the monitoring and mitigation 
measures, NMFS finds that the total marine mammal take from the 
proposed activity will have a negligible impact on all affected marine 
mammal species or stocks.

[[Page 58466]]

Small Numbers

    As noted above, only small numbers of incidental take may be 
authorized under sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the MMPA for 
specified activities other than military readiness activities. The MMPA 
does not define small numbers and so, in practice, where estimated 
numbers are available, NMFS compares the number of individuals taken to 
the most appropriate estimation of abundance of the relevant species or 
stock in our determination of whether an authorization is limited to 
small numbers of marine mammals. When the predicted number of 
individuals to be taken is fewer than one third of the species or stock 
abundance, the take is considered to be of small numbers. Additionally, 
other qualitative factors may be considered in the analysis, such as 
the temporal or spatial scale of the activities.
    Please see Table 18 for information relating to this small numbers 
analysis. The total amount of take authorized is less than one percent 
for a majority of stocks, and no more than 12 percent for any given 
stock.
    Based on the analysis contained herein of the proposed activity 
(including the mitigation and monitoring measures) and the anticipated 
take of marine mammals, NMFS finds that small numbers of marine mammals 
will be taken relative to the population size of the affected species 
or stocks.

Unmitigable Adverse Impact Analysis and Determination

    There are no relevant subsistence uses of the affected marine 
mammal stocks or species implicated by the issuance of regulations to 
the NEFSC. Therefore, NMFS has determined that the total taking of 
affected species or stocks would not have an unmitigable adverse impact 
on the availability of such species or stocks for taking for 
subsistence purposes.

Endangered Species Act

    Section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA: 16 
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) requires that each Federal agency insure that any 
action it authorizes, funds, or carries out is not likely to jeopardize 
the continued existence of any endangered or threatened species or 
result in the destruction or adverse modification of designated 
critical habitat. To ensure ESA compliance for the issuance of IHAs, 
NMFS consults whenever we propose to authorize take for endangered or 
threatened species, in this case with the Greater Atlantic Regional 
Fisheries Office (GARFO).
    GARFO issued a biological opinion to the NEFSC (concerning the 
conduct of the specified activities) and OPR (concerning issuance of 
the LOA) on October 8, 2021, which concluded that the proposed actions 
are not likely to adversely affect any listed marine mammal species or 
adversely modify critical habitat.

National Environmental Policy Act

    To comply with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA; 
42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and NOAA Administrative Order (NAO) 216-6A, 
NMFS must review our proposed action (i.e., the issuance of an IHA) 
with respect to potential impacts on the human environment.
    In July 2016, the NEFSC published a Final Programmatic 
Environmental Assessment (PEA) for Fisheries Research Conducted and 
Funded by the NEFSC (NMFS 2016a) to consider the direct, indirect and 
cumulative effects to the human environment resulting from NEFSC's 
activities as well as OPR's issuance of the regulations and subsequent 
incidental take authorization. NMFS made the PEA available to the 
public for review and comment, in relation specifically to its 
suitability for assessment of the impacts of our action under the MMPA. 
OPR signed a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) on August 3, 
2016. These documents are available at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/incidental-take-authorization-noaa-fisheries-nefsc-fisheries-and-ecosystem-research.
    On September 18, 2020, NMFS announced the availability of a Draft 
Supplemental PEA for Fisheries Research Conducted and Funded by the 
Northeast Fisheries Science Center for review and comment (85 FR 
58339). The purpose of the Draft SPEA is to evaluate potential direct, 
indirect, and cumulative effects of unforeseen changes in research that 
were not analyzed in the 2016 PEA, or new research activities along the 
U.S. East Coast. Where necessary, updates to certain information on 
species, stock status or other components of the affected environment 
that may result in different conclusions from the 2016 PEA are 
presented in this analysis. The supplemental PEA is available at 
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/draft-supplemental-programmatic-environmental-assessment-nefsc-research-now-available.
    NMFS evaluated information in the PEA, SPEA, and NEFSC's 
application, as well as the 2016 FONSI, and determined that the initial 
FONSI is sufficient to support issuance of these regulations and 
subsequent 5-year Letter of Authorization. NMFS has documented this 
determination in a memorandum for the record.

National Marine Sanctuaries Act (NMSA)

    On September 16, 2015, NMFS OPR Permits and Conservation Division, 
requested consultation under Section 304(d) of the NMSA on the issuance 
of regulations and a Letter of Authorization to the NEFSC from 2016- 
2021. Similarly, the NEFSC initiated consultation pursuant to section 
304(d) of the NMSA on August 4, 2015, to conduct fisheries research 
activities within Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary (NMS). On 
September 23, 2015, the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS) 
responded with comments and recommendations which were incorporated 
into the NEFSC's PEA and NMFS final rule. The survey activities being 
considered under this final rule or their potential impacts on marine 
mammals are not significantly different from the activities considered 
in the 2015 consultation. Therefore, PR1 has determined that re-
initiation of NMSA 304(d) consultation is not required for the issuance 
of the 2021-2026 LOA because the changes in the action and potential 
impacts do not meet the triggers for re-initiation of consultation.

Adaptive Management

    The regulations governing the take of marine mammals incidental to 
NEFSC fisheries research survey operations would contain an adaptive 
management component. The inclusion of an adaptive management component 
will be both valuable and necessary within the context of 5-year 
regulations for activities that have been associated with marine mammal 
mortality.
    The reporting requirements associated with this rule are designed 
to provide OPR with monitoring data from the previous year to allow 
consideration of whether any changes are appropriate. OPR and the NEFSC 
will meet annually to discuss the monitoring reports and current 
science and whether mitigation or monitoring modifications are 
appropriate. The use of adaptive management allows OPR to consider new 
information from different sources to determine (with input from the 
NEFSC regarding practicability) on an annual or biennial basis if 
mitigation or monitoring measures should be modified (including 
additions or deletions). Mitigation measures could be modified if new 
data suggests that such modifications would have a reasonable 
likelihood of reducing adverse effects to

[[Page 58467]]

marine mammals and if the measures are practicable.
    The following are some of the possible sources of applicable data 
to be considered through the adaptive management process: (1) Results 
from monitoring reports, as required by MMPA authorizations; (2) 
results from general marine mammal research and sound research; and (3) 
any information which reveals that marine mammals may have been taken 
in a manner, extent, or number not authorized by these regulations or 
subsequent LOAs.

Classification

    The Office of Management and Budget has determined that this rule 
is not significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866.
    Pursuant to section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), 
the Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce has 
certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business 
Administration that this rule, if adopted, would not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. NMFS is the 
sole entity that would be responsible for adhering to the requirements 
in these regulations, and NMFS is not a small governmental 
jurisdiction, small organization, or small business, as defined by the 
RFA. Because of this certification, a regulatory flexibility analysis 
is not required and none has been prepared.
    This rule does not contain a collection-of-information requirement 
subject to the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) because 
the applicant is a Federal agency. Notwithstanding any other provision 
of law, no person is required to respond to nor must a person be 
subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection of 
information subject to the requirements of the PRA unless that 
collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control 
number. These requirements have been approved by OMB under control 
number 0648-0151 and include applications for regulations, subsequent 
LOAs, and reports.

Waiver of Delay in Effective Date

    NMFS has determined that there is good cause under the 
Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C 553(d)(3)) to waive the 30-day 
delay in the effective date of this final rule. No individual or entity 
other than the NEFSC is affected by the provisions of these 
regulations. The NEFSC requested that this final rule take effect on 
September 10, 2021, to accommodate the NEFSC's LOA expiring on 
September 9, 2021, so as to not cause a disruption in research 
activities. The waiver of the 30-day delay of the effective date of the 
final rule will ensure that the MMPA final rule and LOA are in place as 
soon as possible to minimize the lapse in MMPA take coverage. Any delay 
in finalizing the rule would result in either: (1) A suspension of 
planned research, which would disrupt the provision of vital data 
necessary for effective management of fisheries; or (2) the NEFSC's 
procedural non-compliance with the MMPA (should the NEFSC conduct 
research without an LOA), thereby resulting in the potential for 
unauthorized takes of marine mammals. Moreover, the NEFSC is ready to 
implement the regulations immediately and requested the waiver. For 
these reasons, NMFS finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in the 
effective date. In addition, the rule authorizes incidental take of 
marine mammals that would otherwise be prohibited under the statute. 
Therefore, by granting an exception to the NEFSC, the rule will relieve 
restrictions under the MMPA, which provides a separate basis for 
waiving the 30-day effective date for the rule.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 219

    Endangered and threatened species, Fish, Marine mammals, Reporting 
and recordkeeping requirements, Wildlife.

    Dated: October 15, 2021.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, 50 CFR part 219 is amended 
as follows:

PART 219--REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE TAKING AND IMPORTING OF MARINE 
MAMMALS

0
1. The authority citation for part 219 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.


0
2. Add subpart D to read as follows:
Subpart D--Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Northeast Fisheries 
Science Center Fisheries Research in the Atlantic Coast Region
Sec.
219.31 >Specified activity and specified geographical region.
219.32 >Effective dates.
219.33 >Permissible methods of taking.
219.34 >Prohibitions.
219.35 >Mitigation requirements.
219.36 >Requirements for monitoring and reporting.
219.37 >Letters of Authorization.
219.38 >Renewals and modifications of Letters of Authorization.
219.39-219.40 [Reserved]

Subpart D--Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Northeast Fisheries 
Science Center Fisheries Research in the Atlantic Coast Region


Sec.  219.31  >Specified activity and specified geographical region.

    (a) This subpart applies only to the National Marine Fisheries 
Service's (NMFS) Northeast Fisheries Science Center and those persons 
it authorizes or funds to conduct activities in the area outlined in 
paragraph (b) of this section during research survey program 
operations.
    (b) The incidental taking of marine mammals by Northeast Fisheries 
Science Center may be authorized in a Letter of Authorization (LOA) 
only if it occurs within the Northeast and Southeast Large Marine 
Ecosystem.


Sec.  219.32  >Effective dates.

    Regulations in this subpart are effective from October 21, 2021, 
through October 21, 2026.


Sec.  219.33  >Permissible methods of taking.

    Under LOAs issued pursuant to Sec. Sec.  216.106 of this chapter 
and 219.37, the Holder of the LOA (hereinafter ``NEFSC'') may 
incidentally, but not intentionally, take marine mammals within the 
area described in Sec.  219.31(b) by Level B harassment associated with 
use of active acoustic systems and physical or visual disturbance of 
hauled out pinnipeds and by Level A harassment, serious injury, or 
mortality associated with use of trawl, dredge, bottom and pelagic 
longline, gillnet, pot and trap, and fyke net gears, provided the 
activity is in compliance with all terms, conditions, and requirements 
of the regulations in this subpart and the appropriate LOA, provided 
the activity is in compliance with all terms, conditions, and 
requirements of the regulations in this subpart and the appropriate 
LOA.


Sec.  219.34  >Prohibitions.

    Except for takings contemplated in Sec.  219.33 and authorized by a 
LOA issued under Sec. Sec.  216.106 of this chapter and 219.37, it 
shall be unlawful for any person to do any of the following in 
connection with the activities described in Sec.  219.31:
    (a) Violate, or fail to comply with, the terms, conditions, and 
requirements of this subpart or a LOA issued under Sec. Sec.  216.106 
of this chapter and 219.37;
    (b) Take any marine mammal not specified in such LOA;
    (c) Take any marine mammal specified in such LOA in any manner 
other than as specified;

[[Page 58468]]

    (d) Take a marine mammal specified in such LOA if NMFS determines 
such taking results in more than a negligible impact on the species or 
stocks of such marine mammal; or
    (e) Take a marine mammal specified in such LOA if NMFS determines 
such taking results in an unmitigable adverse impact on the species or 
stock of such marine mammal for taking for subsistence uses.


Sec.  219.35  >Mitigation requirements.

    When conducting the activities identified in Sec.  219.31(a), the 
mitigation measures contained in any LOA issued under Sec. Sec.  
216.106 of this chapter and 219.37 must be implemented. These 
mitigation measures must include but are not limited to:
    (a) General conditions. (1) NEFSC must take all necessary measures 
to coordinate and communicate in advance of each specific survey with 
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Office of 
Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO) or other relevant parties on non-
NOAA platforms to ensure that all mitigation measures and monitoring 
requirements described herein, as well as the specific manner of 
implementation and relevant event-contingent decision-making processes, 
are clearly understood and agreed upon;
    (2) NEFSC must coordinate and conduct briefings at the outset of 
each survey and as necessary between the ship's crew (Commanding 
Officer/master or designee(s), contracted vessel owners, as 
appropriate) and scientific party or in order to explain 
responsibilities, communication procedures, marine mammal monitoring 
protocol, and operational procedures;
    (3) NEFSC must coordinate as necessary on a daily basis during 
survey cruises with OMAO personnel or other relevant personnel on non-
NOAA platforms to ensure that requirements, procedures, and decision-
making processes are understood and properly implemented;
    (4) When deploying any type of sampling gear at sea, NEFSC must at 
all times monitor for any unusual circumstances that may arise at a 
sampling site and use best professional judgment to avoid any potential 
risks to marine mammals during use of all research equipment;
    (5) All vessels must comply with applicable and relevant take 
reduction plans, including any required use of acoustic deterrent 
devices;
    (6) If a NEFSC vessel 65 ft (19.8 m) or longer is traveling within 
a North Atlantic right whale Seasonal Management Area, the vessel shall 
not exceed 10 knots in speed. When practicable, all NEFSC vessels 
traveling within a Dynamic Management Area or acoustically-triggered 
Slow Zone should not exceed 10 knots in speed;
    (7) All NEFSC vessels shall maintain a separation distance of 500 m 
and 100 m from a North Atlantic right whale and other large whales, 
respectively;
    (8) NEFSC must implement handling and/or disentanglement protocols 
as specified in the guidance provided to NEFSC survey personnel; and
    (9) In the case of a bottlenose dolphin entanglement resulting in 
mortality and stock origin is unknown, the NEFSC must request and 
arrange for expedited genetic sampling for stock determination and 
photograph the dorsal fin and submit the image to the NMFS Regional 
Marine Mammal Stranding Coordinator for identification/matching to 
bottlenose dolphins in the Bottlenose Dolphin Photo-identification 
Catalog.
    (b) Trawl survey protocols. (1) NEFSC must conduct trawl operations 
as soon as is practicable upon arrival at the sampling station;
    (2) NEFSC must initiate marine mammal watches (visual observation) 
15 minutes prior to sampling within 1 nm of the site. Marine mammal 
watches must be conducted by scanning the surrounding waters with the 
naked eye and binoculars (or monocular). During nighttime operations, 
visual observation will be conducted using the naked eye and available 
vessel lighting;
    (3) NEFSC must implement the following ``move-on rule.'' If a 
marine mammal is sighted within 1 nautical mile (nm) of the planned 
location in the 15 minutes before gear deployment, NEFSC may move the 
vessel away from the marine mammal to a different section of the 
sampling area if the animal appears to be at risk of interaction with 
the gear based on best professional judgement. If, after moving on, 
marine mammals are still visible from the vessel, NEFSC may decide to 
move again or to skip the station. NMFS may use best professional 
judgement in making this decision;
    (4) NEFSC must maintain visual monitoring effort during the entire 
period of time that trawl gear is in the water (i.e., throughout gear 
deployment, fishing, and retrieval). If marine mammals are sighted 
before the gear is fully removed from the water, NEFSC must take the 
most appropriate action to avoid marine mammal interaction. NEFSC may 
use best professional judgment in making this decision;
    (5) If trawling operations have been suspended because of the 
presence of marine mammals, NEFSC may resume only after there are no 
sightings for 15 minutes within 1nm of sampling location;
    (6) If deploying bongo plankton or other small net prior to trawl 
gear, NEFSC will continue visual observations until trawl gear is ready 
to be deployed;
    (7) NEFSC must implement standard survey protocols to minimize 
potential for marine mammal interactions. These protocols include, but 
are not limited to:
    (i) Standard tow durations of no more than 30 minutes at target 
depth for distances less than 3 nautical miles (nm). The exceptions to 
the 30-minute tow duration are the Atlantic Herring Acoustic Pelagic 
Trawl Survey and the Deepwater Biodiversity Survey where total time in 
the water (deployment, fishing, and haul-back) is 40 to 60 minutes and 
180 minutes, respectively;
    (ii) Trawl tow distances of no more than 3 nm;
    (iii) Bottom trawl tows will be made in either straight lines or 
following depth contours, whereas other tows targeting fish 
aggregations and deep-water biodiversity tows may be made along 
oceanographic or bathymetric features;
    (iv) Sharp course changes will be avoided in all surveys;
    (v) Open the codend of the net close to the deck/sorting area to 
avoid damage to animals that may be caught in gear; and
    (vi) Gear will be emptied as close to the deck/sorting area and as 
quickly as possible after retrieval; and
    (vii) Trawl nets must be cleaned prior to deployment.
    (c) Dredge survey protocols. (1) NEFSC must deploy dredge gear as 
soon as is practicable upon arrival at the sampling station;
    (2) NEFSC must initiate marine mammal watches (visual observation) 
prior to sampling. Marine mammal watches must be conducted by scanning 
the surrounding waters with the naked eye and binoculars (or 
monocular). During nighttime operations, visual observation must be 
conducted using the naked eye and available vessel lighting;
    (3) NEFSC must implement the following ``move-on rule.'' If marine 
mammals are sighted within 1 nautical mile (nm) of the planned location 
in the 15 minutes before gear deployment, the NEFSC may decide to move 
the vessel away from the marine mammal to a different section of the 
sampling area if the animal appears to be at risk of interaction with 
the gear, based on best professional judgement. If, after moving on, 
marine mammals are still visible

[[Page 58469]]

from the vessel, NEFSC may decide to move again or to skip the 
station'';
    (4) NEFSC must maintain visual monitoring effort during the entire 
period of time that dredge gear is in the water (i.e., throughout gear 
deployment, fishing, and retrieval). If marine mammals are sighted 
before the gear is fully removed from the water, NEFSC must take the 
most appropriate action to avoid marine mammal interaction. NEFSC may 
use best professional judgment in making this decision;
    (5) If dredging operations have been suspended because of the 
presence of marine mammals, NEFSC may resume operations when 
practicable only when the animals are believed to have departed the 
area or after 15 minutes of no sightings. NEFSC may use best 
professional judgment in making this determination; and
    (6) NEFSC must carefully empty the dredge gear as close to the 
deck/sorting area and quickly as possible upon retrieval to determine 
if marine mammals are present in the gear.
    (d) Bottom and pelagic longline survey protocols. (1) NEFSC must 
deploy longline gear as soon as is practicable upon arrival at the 
sampling station;
    (2) NEFSC must initiate marine mammal watches (visual observation) 
no less than fifteen minutes prior to both deployment and retrieval of 
the longline gear. Marine mammal watches must be conducted by scanning 
the surrounding waters with the naked eye and binoculars (or 
monocular). During nighttime operations, visual observation must be 
conducted using the naked eye and available vessel lighting;
    (3) NEFSC must implement the following ``move-on rule.'' If marine 
mammals are sighted within 1 nautical mile (nmi) of the planned 
location in the 15 minutes before gear deployment, the NEFSC may decide 
to move the vessel away from the marine mammal to a different section 
of the sampling area if the animal appears to be at risk of interaction 
with the gear, based on best professional judgement. If, after moving 
on, marine mammals are still visible from the vessel, NEFSC may decide 
to move again or to skip the station;
    (4) For the Apex Predators Bottom Longline Coastal Shark Survey, if 
one or more marine mammals are observed within 1 nautical mile (nm) of 
the planned location in the 15 minutes before gear deployment, NEFSC 
must transit to a different section of the sampling area to maintain a 
minimum set distance of 1 nmi from the observed marine mammals. If, 
after moving on, marine mammals remain within 1 nmi, NEFSC may decide 
to move again or to skip the station. NEFSC may use best professional 
judgment in making this decision but may not elect to conduct pelagic 
longline survey activity when animals remain within the 1-nmi zone;
    (5) NEFSC must maintain visual monitoring effort during the entire 
period of gear deployment or retrieval. If marine mammals are sighted 
before the gear is fully deployed or retrieved, NEFSC must take the 
most appropriate action to avoid marine mammal interaction. NEFSC may 
use best professional judgment in making this decision;
    (6) If deployment or retrieval operations have been suspended 
because of the presence of marine mammals, NEFSC may resume such 
operations after there are no sightings of marine mammals for at least 
15 minutes within 1nm area of sampling location. In no case will 
longlines be deployed if animals are considered at-risk of interaction; 
and
    (7) NEFSC must implement standard survey protocols, including 
maximum soak durations and a prohibition on chumming.
    (e) Gillnet survey protocols. (1) The NEFSC must deploy gillnet 
gear as soon as is practicable upon arrival at the sampling station;
    (2) The NEFSC must initiate marine mammal watches (visual 
observation) prior to both deployment and retrieval of the gillnet 
gear. When the vessel is on station during the soak, marine mammal 
watches must be conducted during the soak by scanning the surrounding 
waters with the naked eye and binoculars (or monocular);
    (3) The NEFSC must implement the following ``move-on rule.'' If 
marine mammals are sighted within 1 nmi of the planned location in the 
15 minutes before gear deployment, the NEFSC and/or its cooperating 
institutions, contracted vessels, or commercially-hired captains, may 
decide to move the vessel away from the marine mammal to a different 
section of the sampling area if the animal appears to be at risk of 
interaction with the gear based on best professional judgement. If, 
after moving on, marine mammals are still visible from the vessel, the 
NEFSC and/or its cooperating institutions, contracted vessels, or 
commercially-hired captains may decide to move again or to skip the 
station;
    (4) If marine mammals are sighted near the vessel during the soak 
and are determined to be at risk of interacting with the gear, then the 
NEFSC must carefully retrieve the gear as quickly as possible. The 
NEFSC may use best professional judgment in making this decision;
    (5) The NEFSC must implement standard survey protocols, including 
continuously monitoring the gillnet gear during soak time and removing 
debris with each pass as the net is reset into the water to minimize 
bycatch;
    (6) The NEFSC must ensure that surveys deploy acoustic pingers on 
gillnets in areas where required for commercial fisheries. NEFSC must 
ensure that the devices are operating properly before deploying the 
net;
    (7) NEFSC must maintain visual monitoring effort during the entire 
period of gear deployment or retrieval. If marine mammals are sighted 
during the soak and are deemed at risk of interaction, the gillnet must 
be pulled. If fishing operations are halted, operations resume when 
animal(s) have not been sighted within 15 minutes or are determined to 
no longer be at risk. In other instances, the station is moved or 
cancelled;
    (8) NEFSC must ensure that cooperating institutions, contracted 
vessels, or commercially-hired captains conducting gillnet surveys 
adhere to monitoring and mitigation requirements and must include 
required protocols in all survey instructions, contracts, and 
agreements;
    (9) For the COASTSPAN gillnet surveys, the NEFSC will actively 
monitor for potential bottlenose dolphin entanglements by hand-checking 
the gillnet every 30 minutes or if a disturbance in the net is 
observed. In the unexpected case of a bottlenose dolphin entanglement 
resulting in mortality, NEFSC must request and arrange for expedited 
genetic sampling for stock determination. NEFSC must also photograph 
the dorsal fin and submit the image to the NMFS Southeast Stranding 
Coordinator for identification/matching to bottlenose dolphins in the 
Mid-Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin Photo-Identification Catalog;
    (10) NEFSC must pull gear immediately if disturbance in the nets is 
observed.
    (11) All gillnets will be designed with minimal net slack and 
excess floating and trailing lines will be removed.
    (12) NEFSC will set only new or fully repaired gill nets, and 
modify nets to avoid large vertical gaps between float line and net as 
well as lead line and net when set,
    (13) On Observer Training cruises, acoustic pingers and weak links 
may be used on all gillnets consistent with the regulations and TRPs 
for commercial fisheries. NEFSC must ensure that surveys deploy 
acoustic deterrent devices on gillnets in areas where required for 
commercial fisheries. NEFSC must ensure that the devices are

[[Page 58470]]

operating properly before deploying the net.
    (f) Pot and trap survey protocols. (1) The NEFSC must deploy pot 
gear as soon as is practicable upon arrival at the sampling station;
    (2) The NEFSC must initiate marine mammal watches (visual 
observation) no less than 15 minutes prior to both deployment and 
retrieval of the pot and trap gear. Marine mammal watches must be 
conducted by scanning the surrounding waters with the naked eye and 
binoculars (or monocular). During nighttime operations, visual 
observation must be conducted using the naked eye and available vessel 
lighting;
    (3) The NEFSC and/or its cooperating institutions, contracted 
vessels, or commercially-hired captains must implement the following 
``move-on'' rule. If marine mammals are sighted within 1 nmi of the 
planned location in the 15 minutes before gear deployment, the NEFSC 
and/or its cooperating institutions, contracted vessels, or 
commercially-hired captains, as appropriate, may decide to move the 
vessel away from the marine mammal to a different section of the 
sampling area if the animal appears to be at risk of interaction with 
the gear, based on best professional judgement. If, after moving on, 
marine mammals are still visible from the vessel, the NEFSC may decide 
to move again or to skip the station;
    (4) If marine mammals are sighted near the vessel during the soak 
and are determined to be at risk of interacting with the gear, then the 
NEFSC and/or its cooperating institutions, contracted vessels, or 
commercially-hired captains must carefully retrieve the gear as quickly 
as possible. The NEFSC may use best professional judgment in making 
this decision; and
    (5) The NEFSC must ensure that surveys deploy gear fulfilling all 
pot/trap universal commercial gear configurations such as weak link 
requirements and marking requirements as specified by applicable take 
reduction plans as required for commercial pot/trap fisheries.
    (g) Fyke net gear protocols. (1) NEFSC must conduct fyke net gear 
deployment as soon as is practicable upon arrival at the sampling 
station;
    (2) NEFSC must visually survey the area prior to both deployment 
and retrieval of the fyke net gear. NEFSC must conduct monitoring and 
retrieval of the gear every 12- to 24-hour soak period;
    (3) If marine mammals are in close proximity (approximately 328 
feet [100 meters]) of the set location, NEFSC must determine if the net 
should be removed from the water and the set location should be moved 
using best professional judgment;
    (4) If marine mammals are observed to interact with the gear during 
the setting, NEFSC must remove the gear from the water and implement 
best handling practices; and
    (5) NEFSC must install and use a marine mammal excluder device at 
all times when using fyke nets equal or greater to 2 m.
    (h) Rotary screw trap gear protocols. (1) NEFSC must conduct rotary 
screw trap deployment as soon as is practicable upon arrival at the 
sampling station;
    (2) NEFSC must visually survey the area prior to both setting and 
retrieval of the rotary screw trap gear. If marine mammals are observed 
in the sampling area, NEFSC must suspend or delay the sampling. NEFSC 
may use best professional judgment in making this decision;
    (3) NEFSC must tend to the trap on a daily basis to monitor for 
marine mammal interactions with the gear; and
    (4) If the rotary screw trap captures a marine mammal, NEFSC must 
remove gear and implement best handling practices.


Sec.  219.36  >Requirements for monitoring and reporting.

    (a) Compliance coordinator. NEFSC shall designate a compliance 
coordinator who shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with all 
requirements of any LOA issued pursuant to Sec.  216.106 of this 
chapter and Sec.  219.7 and for preparing for any subsequent request(s) 
for incidental take authorization.
    (b) Visual monitoring program. (1) Marine mammal visual monitoring 
must occur prior to deployment of beam, mid-water, and bottom trawl, 
bottom and pelagic longline, gillnet, fyke net, pot, trap, and rotary 
screw trap gear; throughout deployment of gear and active fishing of 
all research gears; and throughout retrieval of all research gear;
    (2) Marine mammal watches must be conducted by watch-standers 
(those navigating the vessel and/or other crew) at all times when the 
vessel is being operated;
    (3) NEFSC must monitor any potential disturbance of pinnipeds on 
ledges, paying particular attention to the distance at which different 
species of pinniped are disturbed. Disturbance must be recorded 
according to a three-point scale of response to disturbance; and
    (4) The NEFSC must continue to conduct a local census of pinniped 
haulout areas prior to conducting any fisheries research in the 
Penobscot River estuary. The NEFSC's census reports must include an 
accounting of disturbance based on the three-point scale of response 
severity metrics.
    (c) Training. (1) NEFSC must conduct annual training for all chief 
scientists and other personnel (including its cooperating institutions, 
contracted vessels, or commercially-hired captains) who may be 
responsible for conducting dedicated marine mammal visual observations 
to explain mitigation measures and monitoring and reporting 
requirements, mitigation and monitoring protocols, marine mammal 
identification, completion of datasheets, and use of equipment. NEFSC 
may determine the agenda for these trainings;
    (2) NEFSC must also dedicate a portion of training to discussion of 
best professional judgment, including use in any incidents of marine 
mammal interaction and instructive examples where use of best 
professional judgment was determined to be successful or unsuccessful; 
and
    (3) NEFSC must coordinate with NMFS' Southeast Fisheries Science 
Center (SEFSC) regarding surveys conducted in the southern portion of 
the Atlantic coast region, such that training and guidance related to 
handling procedures and data collection is consistent.
    (d) Handling procedures and data collection. (1) NEFSC must develop 
and implement standardized marine mammal handling, disentanglement, and 
data collection procedures. These standard procedures will be subject 
to approval by NMFS Office of Protected Resources (OPR);
    (2) When practicable, for any marine mammal interaction involving 
the release of a live animal, NEFSC must collect necessary data to 
facilitate a serious injury determination;
    (3) NEFSC must provide its relevant personnel with standard 
guidance and training regarding handling of marine mammals, including 
how to identify different species, bring/or not bring an individual 
aboard a vessel, assess the level of consciousness, remove fishing 
gear, return an individual to water, and log activities pertaining to 
the interaction; and
    (4) NEFSC must record such data on standardized forms, which will 
be subject to approval by OPR. The data must be collected at a 
sufficient level of detail (e.g., circumstances leading to the 
interaction, extent of injury, condition upon release) to facilitate 
serious injury determinations under the MMPA.
    (e) Reporting. (i) NEFSC must report all incidents of marine mammal 
interaction to NMFS' Protected Species

[[Page 58471]]

Incidental Take database within 48 hours of occurrence. Information 
related to marine mammal interaction (animal captured or entangled in 
research gear) must include details of survey effort, full descriptions 
of any observations of the animals, the context (vessel and 
conditions), decisions made and rationale for decisions made in vessel 
and gear handling.
    (ii) The NEFSC must submit annual reports. The period of reporting 
will be one year beginning at the date of issuance of the LOA. NEFSC 
must submit an annual summary report to OPR not later than ninety days 
following the end of the reporting period. These reports must contain, 
at minimum, the following:
    (A) Annual line-kilometers surveyed during which the EK60, ME70, 
DSM300 (or equivalent sources) were predominant;
    (B) Summary information regarding use of the following: All trawl 
gear, all longline gear, all gillnet gear, all dredge gear, fyke net 
gear, and rotary screw trap gear (including number of sets, hook hours, 
tows, and tending frequency specific to each gear type);
    (C) Accounts of all incidents of marine mammal interactions, 
including circumstances of the event and descriptions of any mitigation 
procedures implemented or not implemented and why;
    (D) Summary information from the pinniped haulout censuses in the 
and summary information related to any disturbance of pinnipeds, 
including event-specific total counts of animals present, counts of 
reactions according to a three-point scale of response severity, and 
distance of closest approach;
    (E) A written evaluation of the effectiveness of NEFSC mitigation 
strategies in reducing the number of marine mammal interactions with 
survey gear, including best professional judgment and suggestions for 
changes to the mitigation strategies, if any;
    (F) Final outcome of serious injury determinations for all 
incidents of marine mammal interactions where the animal(s) were 
released alive; and
    (G) A summary of all relevant training provided by the NEFSC and 
any coordination with the NMFS Southeast Fishery Science Center, the 
Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, and the Southeast Regional 
Office.
    (iii) Reporting of North Atlantic right whales and injured or dead 
marine mammals:
    (A) In the event that the NEFSC observes a North Atlantic right 
whale during a survey, they must report the sighting as soon as 
possible to 866-755-6622 if the sighting occurs in the Northeast region 
(VA to ME) or to 877-WHALE-HELP if the sighting occurs in the Southeast 
region (FL to NC). The NEFSC must also report the sighting to the U.S. 
Coast Guard via Channel 16.
    (B) In the event that the NEFSC discovers an injured or dead marine 
mammal, NEFSC must report the incident to OPR 
([email protected]), 866-755-6622 in the Northeast 
region (VA to ME) and 877-WHALE-HELP in the Southeast region (FL to 
NC).
    (C) In the unanticipated event that the specified activity clearly 
causes the take of a marine mammal in a prohibited manner, NEFSC must 
immediately cease such activity until such time as an appropriate 
decision regarding activity continuation can be made by the NEFSC 
Director (or designee). The incident must be immediately reported to 
the contacts in 6(c)(ii). OPR will review the circumstances of the 
prohibited take and work with NEFSC to determine what measures are 
necessary to minimize the likelihood of further prohibited take and 
ensure MMPA compliance. The report must include the following 
information:
    (i) Time, date, and location (latitude/longitude) of the first 
discovery (and updated location information if known and applicable);
    (ii) Species identification (if known) or description of the 
animal(s) involved;
    (iii) Condition of the animal(s) (including carcass condition if 
the animal is dead);
    (iv) Observed behaviors of the animal(s), if alive;
    (v) If available, photographs or video footage of the animal(s); 
and
    (vi) General circumstances under which the animal was discovered.
    (3) In the event of a ship strike of a marine mammal by any vessel 
involved in the activities covered by the authorization, NEFSC must 
report the incident to OPR and to the appropriate Regional Stranding 
Network as soon as feasible. The report must include the following 
information:
    (i) Time, date, and location (latitude/longitude) of the incident;
    (ii) Species identification (if known) or description of the 
animal(s) involved;
    (iii) Vessel's speed during and leading up to the incident;
    (iv) Vessel's course/heading and what operations were being 
conducted (if applicable);
    (v) Status of all sound sources in use;
    (vi) Description of avoidance measures/requirements that were in 
place at the time of the strike and what additional measures were 
taken, if any, to avoid strike;
    (vii) Environmental conditions (e.g., wind speed and direction, 
Beaufort sea state, cloud cover, visibility) immediately preceding the 
strike;
    (viii) Estimated size and length of animal that was struck;
    (ix) Description of the behavior of the marine mammal immediately 
preceding and following the strike;
    (x) If available, description of the presence and behavior of any 
other marine mammals immediately preceding the strike;
    (xi) Estimated fate of the animal (e.g., dead, injured but alive, 
injured and moving, blood or tissue observed in the water, status 
unknown, disappeared); and
    (xii) To the extent practicable, photographs or video footage of 
the animal(s).


Sec.  219.37  >Letters of Authorization.

    (a) To incidentally take marine mammals pursuant to these 
regulations, NEFSC must apply for and obtain an LOA.
    (b) An LOA, unless suspended or revoked, may be effective for a 
period of time not to exceed the expiration date of these regulations.
    (c) If an LOA expires prior to the expiration date of these 
regulations, NEFSC may apply for and obtain a renewal of the LOA.
    (d) In the event of projected changes to the activity or to 
mitigation and monitoring measures required by an LOA, NEFSC must apply 
for and obtain a modification of the LOA as described in Sec.  219.38.
    (e) The LOA must set forth:
    (1) Permissible methods of incidental taking;
    (2) Means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact (i.e., 
mitigation) on the species, its habitat, and on the availability of the 
species for subsistence uses; and
    (3) Requirements for monitoring and reporting.
    (f) Issuance of the LOA must be based on a determination that the 
level of taking will be consistent with the findings made for the total 
taking allowable under these regulations.
    (g) Notice of issuance or denial of an LOA must be published in the 
Federal Register within 30 days of a determination.


Sec.  219.38  >Renewals and modifications of Letters of Authorization.

    (a) A LOA issued under Sec. Sec.  216.106 of this chapter and 
219.37 for the activity identified in Sec.  219.31(a) must be renewed 
or modified upon request by the applicant, provided that:
    (1) The proposed specified activity and mitigation, monitoring, and 
reporting measures, as well as the

[[Page 58472]]

anticipated impacts, are the same as those described and analyzed for 
these regulations (excluding changes made pursuant to the adaptive 
management provision in paragraph (c)(1) of this section); and
    (2) OPR determines that the mitigation, monitoring, and reporting 
measures required by the previous LOA under these regulations were 
implemented.
    (b) For an LOA modification or renewal requests by the applicant 
that include changes to the activity or the mitigation, monitoring, or 
reporting (excluding changes made pursuant to the adaptive management 
provision in in paragraph (c)(1) of this section) that do not change 
the findings made for the regulations or result in no more than a minor 
change in the total estimated number of takes (or distribution by 
species or years), OPR may publish a notice of proposed LOA in the 
Federal Register, including the associated analysis of the change, and 
solicit public comment before issuing the LOA.
    (c) An LOA issued under Sec. Sec.  216.106 of this chapter and 
219.37 for the activity identified in Sec.  219.31(a) may be modified 
by OPR under the following circumstances:
    (1) OPR may modify (including augment) the existing mitigation, 
monitoring, or reporting measures (after consulting with NEFSC 
regarding the practicability of the modifications) if doing so creates 
a reasonable likelihood of more effectively accomplishing the goals of 
the mitigation and monitoring set forth in the preamble for these 
regulations.
    (i) Possible sources of data that could contribute to the decision 
to modify the mitigation, monitoring, or reporting measures in an LOA:
    (A) Results from NEFSC's monitoring from the previous year(s);
    (B) Results from other marine mammal and/or sound research or 
studies; and
    (C) Any information that reveals marine mammals may have been taken 
in a manner, extent or number not authorized by these regulations or 
subsequent LOAs.
    (ii) If, through adaptive management, the modifications to the 
mitigation, monitoring, or reporting measures are substantial, OPR will 
publish a notice of proposed LOA in the Federal Register and solicit 
public comment.
    (2) If OPR determines that an emergency exists that poses a 
significant risk to the well-being of the species or stocks of marine 
mammals specified in Sec.  219.32(b), a LOA may be modified without 
prior notice or opportunity for public comment. Notification would be 
published in the Federal Register within 30 days of the action.


Sec.  Sec.  219.39-219.40  [Reserved]

[FR Doc. 2021-22858 Filed 10-20-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P