We work closely with industry and other entities to prevent and mitigate adverse impacts of human activities on Pacific walrus, polar bears, and northern sea otters in Alaska, prevent adverse impacts to subsistence use of these species, and promote human safety in polar bear country. A significant component of this work is the issuance of incidental take authorizations under sections 101(a)(5)(A) and 101(a)(5)(D) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. 

What We Do 

  • Provide technical assistance and share resources on how to avoid take of polar bears, northern sea otters, or Pacific walrus
  • Issue incidental harassment authorizations (IHAs) that authorize incidental take by harassment of marine mammals for up to a one-year period
  • Promulgate incidental take regulations (ITRs) that authorize incidental take of marine mammals for up to a five-year period, and issue associated incidental take Letters of Authorization (LOAs) to specific entities
  • Issue Letters of Authorization that authorize intentional harassment (hazing) of polar bears
  • Provide polar bear awareness, safety, and deterrence training
  • Work with the Marine Mammals Management species programs to apply the most current biological information in regulatory decisions
  • Consult with other local, state and federal agencies to coordinate regulatory efforts 

What Guides Us 

-Available for public comment-

In accordance with the MMPA, the Service invites public comment on proposed ITRs and IHAs before they are finalized and issued. All proposed incidental take authorizations are published in the Federal Register and have an open public comment period of 30 days or more. 

Marine Mammals; Proposed Incidental Harassment Authorization for the Southern Beaufort Sea Stock of Polar Bears During Legacy Well Remediation Activities, North Slope of Alaska

A proposed Incidental Harassment Authorization for polar bears in the Southern Beaufort Sea stock is open for public comment until March 16, 2026. The authorization proposed in response to a request from the Bureau of Land Management would authorize nonlethal, incidental take by harassment of small numbers of polar bears that may result from activities associated with oil well plugging and reclamation, soil sampling, snow trail, pad, and airstrip construction, and summer cleanup activities in the North Slope Borough of Alaska between western Smith Bay and Oliktok. This proposed authorization, if finalized, will be for up to 10 takes of polar bears by Level B harassment. No Level A harassment or lethal take is requested, expected, or proposed to be authorized.

Once the public comment period closes, we will review all submitted comments prior to making a final determination.

More information is available at: 

Marine Mammals; Proposed Incidental Harassment Authorization for Polar Bears in the Beaufort Sea and Arctic Ocean; Ice Exercise Activities by the U.S. Navy

A proposed Incidental Harassment Authorization for polar bears in the Southern Beaufort Sea stock is open for public comment until March 4, 2026. The proposed authorization would authorize nonlethal, incidental take by harassment of small numbers of polar bears associated with the mobilization, operation, and demobilization of a temporary ice camp, aircraft transportation, submarine training and testing, and research in the Beaufort Sea and Arctic Ocean. This proposed authorization, if finalized, would be for up to six takes of polar bears by Level B harassment only. No take by injury or mortality is requested, expected, or proposed to be authorized.

Once the public comment period closes, we will review all submitted comments prior to making a final determination.

More information is available at: