Notice2023-04221
Marine Mammals; File No. 27052
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
March 2, 2023
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
Notice is hereby given that the NMFS Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC), 2725 Montlake Boulevard East, Seattle, WA 98112-2097 (Responsible Party: M. Bradley Hanson, Ph.D.), 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 41 (Thursday, March 2, 2023)</title>
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<body><pre>[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 41 (Thursday, March 2, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 13100]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-04221]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XC804]
Marine Mammals; File No. 27052
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 NMFS Northwest Fisheries
Science Center (NWFSC), 2725 Montlake Boulevard East, Seattle, WA
98112-2097 (Responsible Party: M. Bradley Hanson, Ph.D.), 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 April 3, 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. 27052 from the list of available applications. These documents are
also available upon written request via email to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#afe1e2e9fc81ffdd9eecc0c2c2cac1dbdcefc1c0cece81c8c0d9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="024c4f44512c527033416d6f6f676c7671426c6d63632c656d74">[email protected]</span></a>.
Written comments on this application should be submitted via email
to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#327c7f74611c624003715d5f5f575c4641725c5d53531c555d44"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="531d1e15007d032162103c3e3e363d2720133d3c32327d343c25">[email protected]</span></a>. Please include File No. 27052 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#2e6063687d007e5c1f6d4143434b405a5d6e40414f4f00494158"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="652b2823364b351754260a0808000b1116250b0a04044b020a13">[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 assess the biology and
ecology of marine mammals in U.S. and international waters of the North
Pacific Ocean off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, California, Alaska,
and Canada. Up to 33 species of marine mammals may be taken during
research including the following ESA-listed species: blue (Balaenoptera
musculus), fin (B. physalus), gray (Eschrichtius robustus; Western
North Pacific distinct population segments[DPS]), humpback (Megaptera
novaeangliae; Western North Pacific, Central America, and Mexico DPSs),
killer (Orcinus orca; Southern Resident DPS), North Pacific right
(Eubalaena japonica), sei (B. borealis), and sperm (Physeter
macrocephalus) whales; and Guadalupe fur seals (Arctocephalus
townsendi) and Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus; Western DPS). The
applicant proposes to take marine mammals during vessel and aerial
surveys, including unmanned aircraft systems, for above and underwater
photography and videography, photo-identification, photogrammetry,
thermal imaging, behavioral observations, passive acoustic recordings,
prey mapping with echosounders, biological sampling (exhaled air,
feces, sloughed skin, predation samples, and skin and blubber
biopsies), and suction-cup tagging. Research may also be conducted on
captive killer whales. Marine mammal parts may be received, imported,
and exported for analysis. See the application for complete numbers of
animals requested by species, life stage, 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: February 24, 2023.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-04221 Filed 3-1-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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