Notice2022-28443
Marine Mammals; File No. 24378
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 30, 2022
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
Notice is hereby given that The University of Alaska Southeast, 1332 Seward Ave, Sitka, AK 99835 (Responsible Party: Jan Straley), has applied for an amendment to scientific research Permit No. 24378.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 250 (Friday, December 30, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 250 (Friday, December 30, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 80527]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-28443]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XC630]
Marine Mammals; File No. 24378
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 The University of Alaska
Southeast, 1332 Seward Ave, Sitka, AK 99835 (Responsible Party: Jan
Straley), has applied for an amendment to scientific research Permit
No. 24378.
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or
before January 30, 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. 24378 from the list of available applications. These documents are
also available upon written request via email to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6927242f3a47391b582a0604040c071d1a2907060808470e061f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4f0102091c611f3d7e0c2022222a213b3c0f21202e2e61282039">[email protected]</span></a>.
Written comments on this application should be submitted via email
to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#aae4e7ecf984fad89be9c5c7c7cfc4ded9eac4c5cbcb84cdc5dc"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="eea0a3a8bdc0be9cdfad8183838b809a9dae80818f8fc0898198">[email protected]</span></a>. Please include File No. 24378 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#357b7873661b654704765a5858505b4146755b5a54541b525a43"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d19f9c9782ff81a3e092bebcbcb4bfa5a291bfbeb0b0ffb6bea7">[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 amendment to Permit No. 24378 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), and the Fur
Seal Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).
Permit No. 24378, issued on April 29, 2021, (86 FR 26013, May 12,
2021), authorizes the permit holder to conduct research on 18 species
of cetaceans in Alaska, focusing on humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae),
killer (Orcinus orca), and sperm (Physeter macrocephalus) whales. The
objective of the research is to further the biological understanding of
Alaskan cetaceans by evaluating species abundance, population and stock
structure, life history parameters, foraging behavior and prey
specialization, social behavior, seasonal movements and migrations, and
depredation interactions with longline fishing vessels. Research
methods include close approach by vessels and unmanned aircraft systems
to conduct activities that may result in Level B harassment including
photo-identification, behavioral observations, underwater photography/
video, active acoustic sonar for prey mapping, biological sampling
(prey samples, exhaled air, sloughed skin, feces), and collection of
eDNA. The research also includes activities that may result in Level A
harassment including biopsy sampling and tagging (suction-cup and dart/
barb). Some marine mammal parts may be exported for analysis.
The permit holder is requesting the permit be amended to increase
annual takes of gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) from 100 to 250 for
activities that may cause Level B harassment; and increase from 20 to
100 annual takes for biopsy sampling. The purpose of the requested
amendment is to add a new study and objectives that will allow
researchers to better understand the increasing gray whale presence,
population dynamics, demographics, and foraging strategies in Sitka
Sound. The permit will expire on April 30, 2026.
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 27, 2022.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-28443 Filed 12-29-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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