IHA Application: Seismic Surveys in Cook Inlet by Marathon Oil ...

harbor seals could be harvested for subsistence. These actions have been
identified in this application and will be further developed in the plan of
cooperation. They include the following:
• Seismic program will occur outside of the traditional areas for hunting
marine mammals
• Seismic operation will follow procedures to avoid, power down, shut
down, and ramp up within specific safety radii to minimize effects on the
behavior of marine mammals and, therefore, opportunities for harvest by
local communities;
• Regional subsistence representatives may be hired to perform marine
mammal observations along with onboard marine mammal biologist who
will fill the remainder of the marine mammal observation team.
The combination of the timing, location, duration, size of seismic guns, mitigation
measures, and input from local communities and organization will minimize if not
eliminate the effect of the seismic operations on current or future availability of
marine mammals for subsistence uses, which are expected to be no more than
negligible.
13. The Suggested Means of Accomplishing the Necessary Monitoring and
Reporting that will Result in Increased Knowledge of the Species, the Level
of Taking or Impacts on the Population of Marine Mammals That are
Expected to be Present While Conducting Activities and Suggested Means of
Minimizing Burdens By Coordinating Such Reporting Requirements with
Other Schemes Already Applicable to Persons Conducting Such Activity.
Monitoring Plans Should Include a Description of The Survey Techniques
That Would Be Used to Determine the Movement and Activity of Marine
Mammals Near The Activity Site(s) Including Migration and Other Habitat
Uses, Such As Feeding.
Marathon Oil Company’s proposed Monitoring Plan is described below.
Marathon Oil Company understands that this Monitoring Plan will be subject to
review by NMFS and others, and that refinements may be required.
The monitoring work described has been planned as a self-contained project
independent of any other related monitoring projects occurring simultaneously in
the same regions. Marathon Oil Company is prepared to discuss coordination of
its monitoring program with any related work done by other groups insofar as this
is practical and desirable.
Vessel-based Visual Monitoring
Vessel-based observers will monitor marine mammals near the seismic vessel
during (1) all hours of seismic operation; (2) start ups, and (3) at periods of low
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