# 2026-06854: NOAA Weighs Whale-Bothering Ocean Survey: Public Input Sought on Science Plan

2026-06854, Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to a Marine Geophysical Survey in the Western Central Atlantic Ocean, is a Federal Register notice from Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration published 2026-04-09, effective Comments and information must be received no later than May 11, 2026. (as of 2026-06-08).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-06854
- As of: 2026-06-08
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-06854
- Title: Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to a Marine Geophysical Survey in the Western Central Atlantic Ocean
- Type: Notice
- Agencies: Commerce Department; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 18024
- Published: 2026-04-09
- Effective: Comments and information must be received no later than May 11, 2026.
- Comments close: 2026-05-11
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: none
- Last updated: 2026-06-08

## In one line

NOAA Weighs Whale-Bothering Ocean Survey: Public Input Sought on Science Plan

## Summary

NOAA is thinking about letting Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory do a marine survey in the Western Central Atlantic Ocean that might accidentally bother some whales and dolphins. They want your thoughts on this plan and a possible one-year extension before deciding. If approved, this will happen soon, and it won’t cost the public money but helps science learn more about the ocean.

## Abstract

NMFS has received a request from the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University (L-DEO) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to a marine geophysical survey off the Eastern North American Margin in the Western Central Atlantic Ocean. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to incidentally take marine mammals during the specified activities. NMFS is also requesting comments on a possible one-time, 1-year renewal that could be issued under certain circumstances and if all requirements are met, as described in Request for Public Comments at the end of this notice. NMFS will consider public comments prior to making any final decision on the issuance of the requested MMPA authorization and agency responses will be summarized in the final notice of our decision.

## Effects PRIA read

No economic effects identified for this document.

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## Sources
- [2026-06854 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/04/09/2026-06854/takes-of-marine-mammals-incidental-to-specified-activities-taking-marine-mammals-incidental-to-a)
- [2026-06854 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-04-09/pdf/2026-06854.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-06853, North Pacific Albacore United States Stakeholder Meeting; Meeting Announcement](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-06853)
- [Next: 2026-06855, Notice of Meeting](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-06855)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-06854 (as of 2026-06-08).