Contact: Scott Smullen                 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                             11/14/97

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is seeking comment on an application and proposed rule that would authorize the U.S. oil and gas industry to potentially disturb a small number of ringed seals and possibly bearded seals by harassment incidental to seismic exploration activities in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska.

Winter-time seismic exploration activities on the ice may potentially disturb seals inhabiting their ice lairs, therefore an incidental take authorization under the Marine Mammal Protection Act is warranted.

NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service has preliminarily determined that this activity will not result in more than the incidental harassment of small numbers of ringed seals and would have only a negligible impact on this stock.

The applicants state that their activities are not likely to result in the physical injury or death of any individual seals. Because seals are expected to avoid the immediate area around seismic operations, they are not expected to be subject to potential hearing damage from exposure to underwater or in-air sounds from the operations. Any harassment of ringed seals is likely to result from short-term disturbance caused by the movement of men and equipment along the ice and the noise from the seismic trucks.

The Fisheries Service will accept comments on the application and proposed authorization through Nov. 26, 1997. Comments should be addressed to Michael Payne, Chief, Marine Mammal Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3225. A copy of the application and an environmental assessment may obtained by contacting the same office.