Notice2022-18246
Marine Mammals; File No. 26596
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 24, 2022
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
Notice is hereby given that Robin Baird, Ph.D., Cascadia Research Collective, 218\1/2\ West Fourth Avenue, Olympia, WA 98501, 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 163 (Wednesday, August 24, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 163 (Wednesday, August 24, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51969-51970]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-18246]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XC295]
Marine Mammals; File No. 26596
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 Robin Baird, Ph.D., Cascadia
Research Collective, 218\1/2\ West Fourth Avenue, Olympia, WA 98501,
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 September 23, 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. 26596 from the list of available applications. These documents are
also available upon written request via email to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a4eae9e2f78af4d695e7cbc9c9c1cad0d7e4cacbc5c58ac3cbd2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="07494a41542957753644686a6a62697374476968666629606871">[email protected]</span></a>.
Written comments on this application should be submitted via email
to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2a64676c79047a581b694547474f445e596a44454b4b044d455c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6e2023283d403e1c5f2d0103030b001a1d2e00010f0f40090118">[email protected]</span></a>. Please include File No. 26596 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#5a14171c09740a286b193537373f342e291a34353b3b743d352c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e9a7a4afbac7b99bd8aa8684848c879d9aa987868888c78e869f">[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 Courtney
Smith, 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 requests a 5-year permit to take marine mammals in
the Pacific Ocean to study population structure, size, and range,
movements, habitat use,
[[Page 51970]]
social organization, diving behavior, diet, disease monitoring,
behavior, and reactions to anthropogenic activity. Up to 43 species of
cetaceans may be targeted for research including the following ESA-
listed species: blue (Balaenoptera musculus), bowhead (Balaena
mysticetus), fin (Balaenoptera physalus), false killer (Pseudorca
crassidens; Main Hawaiian insular distinct population segment [DPS]),
gray (Eschrichtius robustus; Western North Pacific DPS), humpback
(Megaptera novaeangliae; Western North Pacific, Mexico, and Central
America DPSs), killer (Orcinus orca; Southern Resident DPS), North
Pacific right (Eubalaena japonica), sei (Balaenoptera borealis), and
sperm (Physeter macrocephalus) whales. Researchers would conduct vessel
surveys, including unmanned aircraft systems, for counts, passive
acoustic recording, observations, photo-identification, photogrammetry,
thermal imaging, video recording, biological sampling (sloughed skin,
exhaled air, feces, prey remains, skin and blubber biopsy), and tagging
(suction-cup, dart, and bolt/pin). Biological samples, including prey
remains of ESA-listed marine mammal or fish species, may be imported
and exported for analysis. Seven pinniped species including ESA-listed
Hawaiian monk seals (Neomonachus schauinslandi), Guadalupe fur seals
(Arctocephalus townsendi), and Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus)
may be harassed during research. See the application for numbers of
animals requested by species and procedure.
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 19, 2022.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-18246 Filed 8-23-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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