Notice2023-09235
Marine Mammals; File No. 26939
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
May 2, 2023
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
Notice is hereby given that NMFS' Northeast Fisheries Science Center, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543 (Responsible Party: Jon Hare, Ph.D.), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on pinnipeds.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 84 (Tuesday, May 2, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 84 (Tuesday, May 2, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 27451]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-09235]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XC969]
Marine Mammals; File No. 26939
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 NMFS' Northeast Fisheries Science
Center, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543 (Responsible Party: Jon
Hare, Ph.D.), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research
on pinnipeds.
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or
before June 1, 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. 26939 from the list of available applications. These documents are
also available upon written request via email to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d09e9d9683fe80a2e193bfbdbdb5bea4a390bebfb1b1feb7bfa6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4b05060d18651b397a082426262e253f380b25242a2a652c243d">[email protected]</span></a>.
Written comments on this application should be submitted via email
to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e4aaa9a2b7cab496d5a78b8989818a9097a48a8b8585ca838b92"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="602e2d26334e301251230f0d0d050e1413200e0f01014e070f16">[email protected]</span></a>. Please include File No. 26939 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#1e5053584d304e6c2f5d7173737b706a6d5e70717f7f30797168"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c7898a8194e997b5f684a8aaaaa2a9b3b487a9a8a6a6e9a0a8b1">[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: Sara Young or Shasta McClenahan,
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.) and the regulations governing the taking
and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
The applicant requests a 5-year permit to conduct pinniped stock
assessment research, including estimation of distribution and
abundance, determination of stock structure, habitat requirements,
foraging ecology, health assessment, and effects of natural and
anthropogenic factors. Research will primarily be on harbor seals
(Phoca vitulina) and gray seals (Halichoerus grypus), and secondarily
on harp seals (Pagophilus groenlandicus) and hooded seals (Cystophora
cristata). The study area includes waters within or proximal to the
U.S. and international waters from North Carolina north to Maine, and
Canadian waters in the Gulf of Maine. Pinnipeds may be harassed during
vessel and aircraft (manned and unmanned) transect and photo-
identification surveys, and scat collection. Annually, up to 100 harbor
seals, 350 gray seals, 5 harp seals, and 5 hooded seals will be
captured, sampled, and released for measurement of body condition,
biological sampling (e.g., blood, blubber, skin, hair, swab samples,
vibrissae), and attachment of telemetry devices. An additional 8,180
harbor seals and 15,765 gray seals may be unintentionally harassed
annually during research. The applicant requests unintentional
mortality during captures of up to 5 gray, 5 harbor, 1 harp, and 1
hooded seals annually. The applicant also requests to import and export
samples for analysis. See application for detailed numbers by species,
age-class, and procedure. The permit would be valid for 5 years.
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: April 26, 2023.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-09235 Filed 5-1-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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