# 2026-14578: Texas Gets Permit to Accidentally Disturb Marine Mammals

2026-14578, Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Fisheries Research, is a Federal Register rule from Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration published 2026-07-20, effective 2026-08-01 (as of 2026-07-27).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14578
- As of: 2026-07-27
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-14578
- Title: Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Fisheries Research
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Commerce Department; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 45207
- Published: 2026-07-20
- Effective: 2026-08-01
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: 0648-BN58
- Last updated: 2026-07-27

## In one line

Texas Gets Permit to Accidentally Disturb Marine Mammals

## Summary

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department got the green light to continue their fisheries research in Texas coastal bays for the next five years, even if it means accidentally disturbing some marine mammals. New rules make sure they do this carefully, with strict monitoring and reporting to protect these animals and their homes. This starts August 1, 2026, and keeps science and sea life safe without extra costs to the public.

## Abstract

NMFS, upon request from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), is promulgating regulations to govern the taking of marine mammals incidental to fisheries research in the coastal bays of Texas over the course of 5 years. These regulations, which allow for the issuance of a Letter of Authorization (LOA) for the incidental take of marine mammals during the specified activities in the specified geographical region during the effective dates of the regulations, 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.

## Effects PRIA read

No economic effects identified for this document.

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## Sources
- [2026-14578 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/20/2026-14578/takes-of-marine-mammals-incidental-to-specified-activities-taking-marine-mammals-incidental-to-texas)
- [2026-14578 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-07-20/pdf/2026-14578.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-14573, Food Standards of Identity Modernization; Pasteurized Orange Juice](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14573)
- [Next: 2026-14584, Safety Zones; Delaware River Dredging, Marcus Hook, PA](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14584)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14578 (as of 2026-07-27).