Biological Opinion on the Issuance of Permit No. 932-1905 to the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program
February 26, 2009
NOAA Fisheries' biological opinion on the proposed action permitting the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program to carry out activities and research in support of the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
This biological opinion is based on our review of the Environmental Impact Statement. NOAA Fisheries' Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program prepared on their program, final, and draft recovery plans that are available for the species considered in this opinion, NOAA Fisheries' Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports for marine mammals, past and current research and population dynamics modeling efforts, published and unpublished scientific information on the biology and ecology of threatened and endangered whales and sea turtles in the action area, and other sources of information gathered and evaluated during the consultation on the proposed exercises.