Notice2021-16931
Marine Mammals; File No. 25563
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
August 9, 2021
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
Notice is hereby given that the NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Marine Mammal Laboratory, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115 (Responsible Party: John Bengtson), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on 20 species of marine mammals.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 150 (Monday, August 9, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 150 (Monday, August 9, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43528-43529]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-16931]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XB303]
Marine Mammals; File No. 25563
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science
Center, Marine Mammal Laboratory, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA
98115 (Responsible Party: John Bengtson), has applied in due form for a
permit to conduct research on 20 species of marine mammals.
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or
before September 8, 2021.
ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for
review by selecting ``Records Open for Public Comment'' from the
``Features'' box on the Applications and Permits for Protected Species
(APPS) home page, <a href="https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov">https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov</a>, and then selecting File
No. 25563 from the list of available applications. These documents are
also available upon written request via email to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#8fc1c2c9dca1dffdbecce0e2e2eae1fbfccfe1e0eeeea1e8e0f9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="511f1c17027f012360123e3c3c343f2522113f3e30307f363e27">[email protected]</span></a>.
Written comments on this application should be submitted via email
to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#226c6f64710c725013614d4f4f474c5651624c4d43430c454d54"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f3bdbeb5a0dda381c2b09c9e9e969d8780b39d9c9292dd949c85">[email protected]</span></a>. Please include File No. 25563 in the
subject line of the email comment.
Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a
written request via email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1b55565d48354b692a587476767e756f685b75747a7a357c746d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="226c6f64710c725013614d4f4f474c5651624c4d43430c454d54">[email protected]</span></a>. The request
should set forth the specific reasons why a hearing on this application
would be appropriate.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Hapeman or Shasta McClenahan,
Ph.D., (301) 427-8401.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is requested under the
authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended
(MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the regulations governing the taking
and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216), the Endangered
Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), the
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226), and the Fur
Seal Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).
The applicant proposes to monitor cetacean population trends,
abundance, distribution, and health in the North Pacific Ocean, the
Bering, Beaufort, and Chukchi Seas, and Gulf of Maine. Researchers
would study 20 species of cetaceans including endangered and threatened
blue (Balaenoptera musculus), bowhead (Balaena mysticetus), Cook Inlet
beluga (Delphinapterus leucas), fin (Balaenoptera physalus), gray
(Eschrichtius robustus), humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), North
Pacific right (Eubalaena japonica), sei (Balaenoptera borealis),
Southern Resident killer (Orcinus orca), and sperm (Physeter
macrocephalus) whales. Researchers would conduct vessel and aerial
(crewed and uncrewed) surveys for observations, counts, photography/
videography (underwater, topside, and aerial), photogrammetry, photo-
identification, biological sampling (exhaled air, feces, blubber and
skin, sloughed skin, eDNA, and prey remains), invasive and non-invasive
tagging, and active acoustics. Biological samples collected on the high
seas would be imported to the United States. Up to nine species of
pinnipeds could be unintentionally harassed during surveys. See the
take tables for specific numbers and life stages requested for each
species. The permit would be valid for five years.
In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial determination has been made that
the activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to
prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.
Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal
Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of the application to the Marine
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.
[[Page 43529]]
Dated: August 3, 2021.
Amy Sloan,
Acting Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-16931 Filed 8-6-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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