The National Marine Fisheries Service has proposed to issue permits to authorize the incidental take of several species of whales, seals, and sea lions under the Marine Mammal Protection Act in the Gulf of Mexico, off the coast of Hawaii, and off the coast of Alaska. The agency is accepting comments on the proposed permits until November 4, 2020.
NMFS Proposes Incidental Take Permits for Marine Mammals
Sea Shepherd Petitions NMFS to Ban Fish Imports from New Zealand
The National Marine Fisheries Service has announced it has received a supplemental petition from Sea Shepherd requesting that the agency ban imports of fish products from New Zealand that do not satisfy the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The agency is accepting comments on the petition until October 9, 2020.
Friends of Animals Challenges Mystic Aquarium Permit Issuance
Friends of Animals has filed suit against Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and the National Marine Fisheries Service, claiming that the agency violated the Marine Mammal Protection Act and National Environmental Policy Act when it issued a permit for Mystic Aquarium to import five beluga whales.
Permit Granted to Mystic Aquarium for Import of Beluga Whales
The National Marine Fisheries Service and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Association has announced that a permit has been issued to Mystic Aquarium for the import of five beluga whales for the purposes of scientific research.
NMFS & NOAA Propose Guidelines for Deterring Marine Mammals
The National Marine Fisheries service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have issued a proposed rule outlining appropriate measures to deter marine mammals from damaging property and endangering personal safety. The agencies are accepting comments on the rule until October 30, 2020.
FWS Seeks Comments on Endangered Species and Marine Mammal Permit Applications
The Fish and Wildlife Service has announced it has received applications for endangered species and marine mammal permits, including requests to move penguins to a zoo in Indiana and import elephants to a zoo in Texas. The agency is accepting comments on these applications until July 27, 2020.
FWS Seeks Comments on Endangered Species and Marine Mammal Permit Applications
The Fish and Wildlife Service has announced it is seeking comments on numerous applications for permits under the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act. Applications include requests for captive bred permits for crocodiles, tortoises, penguins, and other animals; permits to kill “excess” deer and oryx; and permits to import sport-hunted trophies. The agency is accepting comments on these permit applications until June 22, 2020.
Sea Shepherd Sues United States Over New Zealand Fishery Imports
Sea Shepherd has filed suit against a variety of federal agencies, alleging that the agencies’ failure to ban imports from certain fisheries in New Zealand that cause harm to endangered dolphins violates the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Administrative Procedure Act.
FWS Considers Endangered Species Import and Breeding Permits
The Fish and Wildlife Service has announced it is considering several applications for Endangered Species Act permits. The applications include requests to import a snow leopard to John Ball Zoo in Michigan and to captive breed Arabian oryx and Eld’s deer at a game ranch in Texas. The agency is accepting comments on the applications until May 13, 2020.
NOAA To Prepare Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement on Makah Tribe Request to Hunt Gray Whales
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has announced its intent to prepare a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement in response to the Makah Tribe’s request to hunt Gray Whales. The agency is not asking for any additional input to prepare this statement.