FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE ISSUES NOTICE: MARINE MAMMALS; PROPOSED INCIDENTAL HARASSMENT AUTHORIZATION FOR POLAR BEARS IN THE BEAUFORT SEA AND ARCTIC OCEAN; ICE EXERCISE ACTIVITIES BY THE U.S. NAVY

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 -- Fish and Wildlife Service has issued a notice called: Marine Mammals; Proposed Incidental Harassment Authorization for Polar Bears in the Beaufort Sea and Arctic Ocean; Ice Exercise Activities by the U.S. Navy.

The notice was published in the Federal Register on Feb. 2 by Peter Fasbender, Assistant Regional Director for Fisheries and Ecological Services, Alaska Region.

Summary: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in response to a request under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (MMPA), as amended, from the U.S. Department of the Navy (Navy), propose to authorize nonlethal, incidental take by harassment of Southern Beaufort Sea polar bears ( Ursus maritimus) from February 18, 2026, to April 18, 2026. The app...