An ELI Membership Seminar
How much sound is safe for marine mammals? Seismic testing and other acoustic activities in the ocean have been a contentious issue in Alaska and the West Coast for many years, resulting in federal marine mammal incidental take authorizations. Now, similar authorizations are being considered in the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic, and other regions because of the need to protect delicate threatened and endangered marine species.
These authorizations, issued under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the requirements of NEPA and other statutes, are meant to protect marine life, which can be sensitive to sound. The authorizations involve the intersection of complex legal requirements and developing marine science, and they present many legal, technical, and scientific challenges for agencies, the regulated community, and conservation interests.
Participants learned more about ocean acoustics and the cutting-edge science and law in this area. Our expert panelists spoke to existing and emerging procedures in acoustic permitting for ocean activities as well as developments in national ocean policy. This seminar was valuable for all those interested in marine science and law.
Panelists:
Kathryn Mengerink, Senior Attorney & Co-Director, Ocean Program Environmental Law Institute (moderator)
Julia M. (Jolie) Harrison, Incidental Take Coordinator, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce
Michael Jasny, Senior Policy Analyst, Natural Resources Defense Council
Brandon Southall, President and Senior Scientist, Southall Environmental Associates
Ryan Steen, Partner, Stoel Rives LLP
Materials:
If you are an ELI member and are logged onto the Members site, you will see links to the event materials below. If you are not an ELI member but would like to have access to archived sessions like these, see the bottom of this page for a link on how to join.
View our Event Policies (includes information on refunds, substitutions, cancellations)