Endangered Species Act Section 7 Biological Opinion: Issuance of Incidental Harassment Authorization under 10l(a)(5)(D) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act to SAExploration, Inc. (SAE) for Marine 3D Ocean Bottom Node Seismic Activities in the U.S. Beaufort Sea, Colville River Delta, Alaska, during the 2014 Open Water Season

This opinion considers the effects of the issuance of an IHA to take marine mammals by harassment under the MMPA incidental to open-water seismic surveys to SAE in the nearshore waters of the Colville River Delta in the U.S. Beaufort Sea from August 15 to October 15, 2014. These actions have the potential to affect the endangered bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus), threatened Arctic subspecies of ringed seal (Phoca hispida hispida), and threatened Beringia DPS of bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus barbatus). There is no critical habitat designated for these species.