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-

Proposed Incidental Take Regulations for Northern Sea Otters; Seward, Sitka, and Kodiak, Alaska

In response to a request from the U.S. Coast Guard under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended, the Service proposes to issue regulations for the nonlethal, incidental, unintentional take by harassment of small numbers of northern sea otters during pile driving and marine construction activities in Seward, Sitka, and Kodiak, Alaska. Incidental take of northern sea otters in the Southcentral Alaska, Southeast Alaska, and Southwest Alaska population stocks may result from in-water noise generated during pile driving and marine construction activities occurring for a period up to 5 years. This proposed rule would authorize take by harassment only, and no lethal take would be authorized. If this rule is finalized, we will issue letters of authorization for the incidental take of northern sea otters, upon request, for specific activities in accordance with the final rule for a period up to 5 years. We request comments on these proposed regulations. 

The proposed incidental take regulations and supporting documents are available for public review and comment at , docket number FWS-R7-ES-2024-0195. The public comment period is from June 23, 2025 to July 23, 2025. Once the public comment period closes, we will review all submitted comments prior to making a final determination.

​​​​​​​Comments may be submitted by one of the following methods:

Internet: . Follow the instructions for submitting comments to Docket No. FWS-R7-ES-2024-0195.

U.S. mail: Public Comments Processing, Attn: Docket No. FWS-R7-ES-2024-0195, Policy and Regulations Branch, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: PRB (JAO/3W), 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.

All comments received on a proposed authorization during the comment period will be posted at . You may request that we withhold personal identifying information from public review; however, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Proposed Incidental Harassment Authorization for Polar Bears and Pacific Walruses in West Harrison Bay, AK

In response to a request under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended, from Narwhal LLC, the Service proposes to authorize nonlethal, incidental take by harassment of small numbers of Pacific walruses and Southern Beaufort Sea (SBS) polar bears between August 1, 2025, and July 31, 2026. The applicant requested this authorization for take by harassment that may result from activities associated with shallow hazard surveys, preliminary field surveys, exploratory drilling operations, and summer cleanup activities in West Harrison Bay, Alaska. This proposed authorization, if finalized, will be for up to 15 takes of walruses and 13 takes of polar bears by Level B harassment only. No take by injury or mortality is requested, expected, or proposed to be authorized. We invite comments on the proposed incidental harassment authorization and the accompanying draft environmental assessment from the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies.

The proposed incidental harassment authorization and supporting documents are available for public review and comment at , docket number FWS-R7-ES-2025-0021. The public comment period is from July 18, 2025 to August 18, 2025. Once the public comment period closes, we will review all submitted comments prior to making a final determination.

​​​​​​​Comments may be submitted by one of the following methods:

Internet: . Follow the instructions for submitting comments to Docket No. FWS-R7-ES-2025-0021.

U.S. mail: Public Comments Processing, Attn: Docket No. FWS-R7-ES-2025-0021, Policy and Regulations Branch, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: PRB (JAO/3W), 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.

All comments received on a proposed authorization during the comment period will be posted at . You may request that we withhold personal identifying information from public review; however, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.