Notice2023-02157
Marine Mammals; File No. 27038
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
February 2, 2023
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
Notice is hereby given that the Center for Whale Research (Responsible Party: Michael Weiss, Ph.D.), 355 Smuggler's Cove Road, Friday Harbor, WA 98250, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on marine mammals.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 22 (Thursday, February 2, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 22 (Thursday, February 2, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7078-7079]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-02157]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XC735]
Marine Mammals; File No. 27038
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 the Center for Whale Research
(Responsible Party: Michael Weiss, Ph.D.), 355 Smuggler's Cove Road,
Friday Harbor, WA 98250, 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 March 6, 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. 27038 from the list of available applications. These documents are
also available upon written request via email to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1f5152594c314f6d2e5c7072727a716b6c5f71707e7e31787069"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="246a6962770a745615674b4949414a5057644a4b45450a434b52">[email protected]</span></a>.
Written comments on this application should be submitted via email
to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5d13101b0e730d2f6c1e3230303833292e1d33323c3c733a322b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="dd93909b8ef38dafec9eb2b0b0b8b3a9ae9db3b2bcbcf3bab2ab">[email protected]</span></a>. Please include File No. 27038 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#105e5d56433e406221537f7d7d757e6463507e7f71713e777f66"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f7b9bab1a4d9a785c6b4989a9a92998384b799989696d9909881">[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.), 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 monitor the demography,
structure, and health of endangered Southern
[[Page 7079]]
Resident killer whales (Orcinus orca) and opportunistically study other
cetaceans in the inland and coastal waters of Washington. Up to 17
additional species of cetaceans may be targeted for research including
the following ESA-listed species: blue (Balaenoptera musculus), fin (B.
physalus), gray (Western North Pacific distinct population segment
[DPS]; Eschrichtius robustus), humpback (Mexico and Central America
DPS; Megaptera novaeangliae), North Pacific right (Eubalaena japonica),
sei (B. borealis), and sperm (Physeter macrocephalus) whales.
Researchers would conduct vessel surveys, including unmanned aircraft
systems, for counts, photography, photo-identification, photogrammetry,
video recording, observations, passive acoustic recording, collection
of samples (sloughed skin, feces, and predation remains), and
underwater photo/videography. Five species of pinnipeds, including
endangered Steller sea lions (Western DPS; 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: January 30, 2023.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-02157 Filed 2-1-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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