Incidental Take Authorization: Cruise Terminal Improvement Project in the Port of Long Beach, CA

NOAA Fisheries has issued a Renewal incidental harassment authorization to Carnival Corporation & GHD to take marine mammals incidental to pile driving for the Long Beach Cruise Terminal improvement project at the Port of Long Beach, California.

NOAA Fisheries has reissued an IHA to the Carnival Corporation & PLC (Carnival) for the re-issuance of a previously issued incidental harassment authorization (IHA) with the only change being effective dates. The initial IHA authorized take of five species of marine mammals, by Level A and Level B harassment, incidental to construction associated with the Port of Long Beach Cruise Terminal Improvement Project in Port of Long Beach, California. The project has been delayed and none of the work covered in the initial IHA has been conducted. The initial IHA was effective from November 19, 2019, through November 18, 2020. A Reissuance was valid December 10, 2020 through December 9, 2021 but also not used. The scope of the activities and anticipated effects remain the same, authorized take numbers are not changed, and the required mitigation, monitoring, and reporting remains the same as included in the initial IHA. NOAA Fisheries is, therefore, issuing a third identical IHA to cover the incidental take analyzed and authorized in the initial IHA.