Environmental assessment for issuance of a scientific research permit for cetacean studies in the Pacific, Arctic, and Atlantic oceans Issuance of a scientific research permit for cetacean studies in the Pacific, Arctic, and Atlantic oceans

"NMFS proposes to issue scientific research Permit No. 14245 to authorize research during vessel and aerial surveys of 33 species of cetacean and eight species of pinnipeds. Research activities would include photoidentification, observation, biological sampling, tagging, captures, and a suite of procedures performed during capture. A small number of accidental mortalities would be authorized for capture work. The purpose of the research is to evaluate trends, abundance and distribution of marine mammals over long periods of time for scientific and management purposes. Individual animals could experience short-lived harassment, injury or death, in a minor number of cases. However, impacts from the research would be minimal to populations and species"--Cover letter.