Notice2022-15591
Marine Mammals; File No. 26329
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
July 21, 2022
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
Notice is hereby given that Brandon Southall, Ph.D., Southall Environmental Associates, Inc., 9099 Soquel Drive, Suite 8, Aptos, CA 95076, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research or enhancement on 17 species of cetaceans including endangered blue (Balaenoptera musculus), fin (B. physalus), humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), and sperm (Physeter macrocephalus) whales.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 139 (Thursday, July 21, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 139 (Thursday, July 21, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 43501]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-15591]
[[Page 43501]]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XC195]
Marine Mammals; File No. 26329
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 Brandon Southall, Ph.D., Southall
Environmental Associates, Inc., 9099 Soquel Drive, Suite 8, Aptos, CA
95076, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research or
enhancement on 17 species of cetaceans including endangered blue
(Balaenoptera musculus), fin (B. physalus), humpback (Megaptera
novaeangliae), and sperm (Physeter macrocephalus) whales.
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or
before August 22, 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. 26329 from the list of available applications. These documents are
also available upon written request via email to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#36787b70651866440775595b5b53584245765859575718515940"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="86c8cbc0d5a8d6f4b7c5e9ebebe3e8f2f5c6e8e9e7e7a8e1e9f0">[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="521c1f14017c022063113d3f3f373c2621123c3d33337c353d24">[email protected]</span></a>. Please include File No. 26329 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#d39d9e9580fd83a1e290bcbebeb6bda7a093bdbcb2b2fdb4bca5"><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: Amy Hapeman or Sara Young, (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 study behavioral responses of cetaceans
in California waters. Researchers seek to identify key characteristics
of species-typical calling, diving, feeding, social, and movement
behavior in cetaceans, and under what conditions and contexts these
behaviors are affected by human noise disturbance. Researchers would
approach cetaceans by vessel for observations, suction-cup tagging,
collection of sloughed skin, acoustic playbacks, prey mapping, photo-
identification, and unintentional harassment. Except for playbacks,
some research activities would occur in conjunction with separately
authorized U.S. Navy operations. Five pinniped species, including
endangered Guadalupe fur seals (Arctocephalus townsendi), may be
unintentionally harassed during fieldwork. Take numbers for each
species can be found in the application's take table. 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.
Dated: July 18, 2022.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-15591 Filed 7-20-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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