Notice2022-27343
Marine Mammals; File No. 23644
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
December 16, 2022
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
Notice is hereby given that Iain Kerr, D.H.L., Ocean Alliance, 32 Horton Street, Gloucester, MA 01930, has applied for an amendment to Scientific Research Permit No. 23644-01.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 241 (Friday, December 16, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 241 (Friday, December 16, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 77077]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-27343]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XC603]
Marine Mammals; File No. 23644
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for permit amendment.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Iain Kerr, D.H.L., Ocean Alliance,
32 Horton Street, Gloucester, MA 01930, has applied for an amendment to
Scientific Research Permit No. 23644-01.
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or
before January 17, 2023.
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. 23644 from the list of available applications. These documents are
also available upon written request via email to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#135d5e55403d436122507c7e7e767d6760537d7c72723d747c65"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="dc92919a8ff28caeed9fb3b1b1b9b2a8af9cb2b3bdbdf2bbb3aa">[email protected]</span></a>.
Written comments on this application should be submitted via email
to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d09e9d9683fe80a2e193bfbdbdb5bea4a390bebfb1b1feb7bfa6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6927242f3a47391b582a0604040c071d1a2907060808470e061f">[email protected]</span></a>. Please include File No. 23644-02 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#eda3a0abbec3bd9fdcae8280808883999ead83828c8cc38a829b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2967646f7a07795b186a4644444c475d5a6947464848074e465f">[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,
(301)427-8401.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 23644-01
is requested under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of
1972, as amended (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 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.),
and the regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226).
Permit No. 23644, issued on October 26, 2020 (85 FR 73263, November
17, 2020), authorizes the permit holder to conduct research on 22
cetacean species in U.S. and international waters of the North Atlantic
and North Pacific Oceans to study cetacean toxicology, microplastics,
acoustics, and behavioral ecology. Researchers may conduct vessel
surveys including unmanned aircraft system (UAS) operations, biological
sampling, counts, passive acoustics, photo-ID, photograph/video,
observations, photogrammetry, and thermal imaging. Cetaceans also may
be unintentionally harassed during surveys. Samples collected on the
high seas or under other authorizations worldwide may be imported for
study. The permit was amended on January 27, 2022 (as No. 23644-01), to
authorize additional UAS models and UAS operations at night. For the
current amendment, the permit holder requests to add suction-cup
tagging by UAS for up to 30 humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae)
each in North Atlantic and North Pacific waters and 30 minke whales
(Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in North Atlantic waters as part of their
behavioral ecology studies. The amendment would be valid for the
duration of the permit, until October 31, 2025.
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 this application to the Marine
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.
Dated: December 13, 2022.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-27343 Filed 12-15-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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