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Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Francis Scott Key Bridge Rebuild, Baltimore MD

NMFS has received a request from the Federal Highway Administration for two consecutive incidental harassment authorizations to take marine mammals incidental to the Francis Scott Key Bridge Rebuild project in Baltimore, MD. The proposal would authorize Level B harassment take of Tamanend's bottlenose dolphins during pile driving activities. NMFS is requesting public comments on the proposed IHAs and possible 1-year renewals.

Proposed Incidental Harassment Authorizations for Sparrows Point Container Terminal Marine Mammal Take

NMFS has received a request from Tradepoint TiL Terminal, LLC (TTT) for two consecutive incidental harassment authorizations (IHAs) under the Marine Mammal Protection Act to incidentally take Tamanend's bottlenose dolphins (Level B harassment only) during construction of the Sparrows Point Container Terminal in Baltimore County, MD. NMFS is requesting public comments on the proposed IHAs and possible one-time 1-year renewals by May 22, 2026. Neither TTT nor NMFS expect serious injury or mortality to result from the activity.

NMFS Finalizes 21 Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports Under MMPA

NMFS has finalized 21 marine mammal stock assessment reports (SARs) under Section 117 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), covering the 2018-2022 period for Alaska, Atlantic, Gulf of America, and Pacific regions. The revisions primarily update human-caused mortality and serious injury (M/SI) estimates and abundance estimates for affected stocks. NMFS responded to public comments from the Marine Mammal Commission and Center for Biological Diversity, addressing concerns about lost fishing gear, plastic pollution, and alternative data collection methods.