National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is partnering with Pacific Northwestern Tribal governments to establish a notification system to help protect endangered species.
Proposed scientific projects to study earthquakes and tsunamis will create a sound that could adversely affect animal species culturally important for many Pacific Northwestern Tribes. NOAA Fisheries said some scientific projects would use airguns, which create sound in the ocean's water. Any marine life could be affected, including species like salmon and southern resident killer whales, the agency said in an April 4 release.
“The National Science Foundation and NOAA Fisheries scientists collaborated with affected Tribal governments to find a resolution as part of the Endangered Species Act consultation process,” NOAA Fisheries said. “Through diligent efforts by all parties involved, we established a notification process between the Tribes and the seismic survey operators.”
The COVID-19 pandemic caused a rescheduling of the seismic survey, which also moved engagement with potentially affected tribes to 2021. In February 2021, NOAA Fisheries invited Tribal representatives to a webinar in which they could voice concerns and ask questions, the release said. In April 2021, a meeting was coordinated between officials and representatives of three tribes who wanted to minimize impacts to their Tribe's fisheries.
The survey was a success, according to the release. NOAA Fisheries said that wouldn't have been possible if it weren't for the early engagement with Tribes. This engagement allowed the department to understand the Tribe's concerns and to provide them with information they needed.
