Navy's Arctic Mammal Poke Fest Hits Year Nine
Published Date: 9/10/2026
Notice
Summary
The Office of Naval Research got the green light to continue their Arctic research in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas from September 2026 to September 2027. This means some marine mammals might be disturbed a little, but the impact will be tiny and carefully managed to protect the animals and their habitats. The research supports important science while keeping marine life safe and respecting local subsistence needs.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
No Full-Time Passive Acoustic Monitoring Required
NMFS declined to require full-time passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) on research vessels or deployment platforms for the planned ARA operations, noting PAM would require significant investment for a cruise planned for only 22 days in September–October 2026 and would provide limited mitigation benefits. ONR and vessel operators are therefore not required to install a full-time PAM program for these activities.
ONR Arctic Research Authorized 2026–2027
NMFS issued an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) allowing the Office of Naval Research to conduct Arctic research in the Beaufort and eastern Chukchi Seas from September 14, 2026, through September 13, 2027. NMFS found the authorized takings would have a negligible impact on marine mammal stocks and would not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of those stocks for subsistence uses.
Required Mitigation Zones and Vessel Avoidance
The IHA requires a 55-meter mitigation zone around moored and drifting acoustic sources during deployment and recovery (operations must stop if a marine mammal is seen within the zone). Vessels must also avoid approaching marine mammals head-on and, when safe, maintain a 457-meter buffer around observed cetaceans and a 183-meter buffer around other observed marine mammals.
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