Notice2022-04927
Marine Mammals; File No. 26288
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
March 9, 2022
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
Notice is hereby given that Deborah Giles, Ph.D., Wild Orca, 6523 California Ave. SW, #172, Seattle, Washington 98136, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on marine mammals.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 46 (Wednesday, March 9, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 46 (Wednesday, March 9, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13270-13271]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-04927]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XB864]
Marine Mammals; File No. 26288
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 Deborah Giles, Ph.D., Wild Orca,
6523 California Ave. SW, #172, Seattle, Washington 98136, has applied
in due form for a permit to conduct research on marine mammals.
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or
before April 8, 2022.
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. 26288 from the list of available applications. These documents are
also available upon written request via email to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#024c4f44512c527033416d6f6f676c7671426c6d63632c656d74"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="27696a61740977551664484a4a42495354674948464609404851">[email protected]</span></a>.
Written comments on this application should be submitted via email
to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#733d3e35205d230142301c1e1e161d0700331d1c12125d141c05"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="125c5f54413c426023517d7f7f777c6661527c7d73733c757d64">[email protected]</span></a>. Please include File No. 26288 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#1f5152594c314f6d2e5c7072727a716b6c5f71707e7e31787069"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="89c7c4cfdaa7d9fbb8cae6e4e4ece7fdfac9e7e6e8e8a7eee6ff">[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: Courtney Smith, Ph.D., 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 proposed permit would authorize vessel surveys for continuing a
long-term assessment of the health and ecology of cetaceans, with
particular focus on the ESA-listed Southern Resident killer whales, and
sympatric ecotypes of killer whales (Orcinus orca), with the primary
goal of obtaining health information pertinent to their management and
conservation. The core study area is the Salish Sea, covering the
eastern inlet of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Puget Sound to the south,
the U.S. boundary to the north, and the mainland to the east, but
includes the outer coast from Washington State to Monterey California.
Research methods primarily involve fecal sampling, photographic
identification, and behavioral observations, but depending on the
conditions and behavior of the whales we may also use other non-
invasive or benign techniques such as prey and skin sampling in the
trail of whales, unmanned aircraft remote observations of fecal patches
and whales, and eDNA water sampling. Parts from unidentified ESA-listed
fish (e.g., salmonid) species may also be collected during predation
events. Secondary target species that may be
[[Page 13271]]
approached include: Fin (Balaenoptera physalus), gray (Eschrichtius
robustus), humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), and minke (Balaenoptera
acutorostrata) whales. Up to 21 additional cetacean species may be
taken if opportunistically encountered (see permit take table). Up to
100 takes whales of each killer whale stock and up to 400 individuals
of each of the other species may be taken annually. Five pinniped
species may be unintentionally harassed during research activities. The
permit would be for 5 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.
Dated: March 3, 2022.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-04927 Filed 3-8-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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