Notice2022-16955
Marine Mammals; File No. 26622
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 8, 2022
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
Notice is hereby given that Randall Wells, Ph.D., Chicago Zoological Society's Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, c/o Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis).
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 151 (Monday, August 8, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 151 (Monday, August 8, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48157-48158]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-16955]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XC250]
Marine Mammals; File No. 26622
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 Randall Wells, Ph.D., Chicago
Zoological Society's Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, c/o Mote Marine
Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236, has applied
in due form for a permit to conduct research on bottlenose dolphins
(Tursiops truncatus) and Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella
frontalis).
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or
before September 7, 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. 26622 from the list of available applications. These documents are
also available upon written request via email to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f2bcbfb4a1dca280c3b19d9f9f979c8681b29c9d9393dc959d84"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bff1f2f9ec91efcd8efcd0d2d2dad1cbccffd1d0dede91d8d0c9">[email protected]</span></a>.
Written comments on this application should be submitted via email
to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#bbf5f6fde895ebc98af8d4d6d6ded5cfc8fbd5d4dada95dcd4cd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="703e3d36235e200241331f1d1d151e0403301e1f11115e171f06">[email protected]</span></a>. Please include File No. 26622 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#3f7172796c116f4d0e7c5052525a514b4c7f51505e5e11585049"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="98d6d5decbb6c8eaa9dbf7f5f5fdf6ecebd8f6f7f9f9b6fff7ee">[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: Shasta McClenahan, Ph.D., or Amy
Hapeman, (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.), and the regulations governing the
taking and
[[Page 48158]]
importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
The applicant requests a 5 year permit to continue conservation
research on dolphins in Florida to study health, environmental
contaminants, reproduction, population structure and dynamics,
acoustics, bioenergetics, trophic patterns human interactions,
telemetry, ranging patterns, and behavior. Up to 10,000 bottlenose
dolphins and 1,000 spotted dolphins may be taken annually during vessel
surveys, including an unmanned aircraft system, for counts,
photography, photo-identification, photogrammetry, video recording,
observations, acoustic playbacks, and passive acoustic recording. A
subset of these animals may be remotely biopsy sampled, suction-cup
tagged, or bolt/pin tagged annually. Up to 50 bottlenose and 25 spotted
dolphins of the above animals may be captured annually for health
assessments to include biological sampling, auditory brainstem response
tests, metabolic rate studies, ultrasound, X-rays, marking, tagging,
release, and tracking. Two unintentional mortalities of each dolphin
species may occur due to capture over the life of the permit.
Biological samples collected may be imported and exported annually for
analysis. The following non-target species may be unintentionally
harassed during research: green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill
sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), Kemp's ridley sea turtle
(Lepidochelys kempii), loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), olive
ridley sea turtle (L. olivacea), leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys
coriacea), smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata), and gulf sturgeon
(Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi).
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: August 3, 2022.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-16955 Filed 8-5-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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