Notice2023-19455
Marine Mammals; File No. 27426
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
September 11, 2023
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
Notice is hereby given that Oregon State University, Marine Mammal Institute, 2030 Marine Science Drive, Newport, OR 97365 (Responsible Party: Lisa Ballance, 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 174 (Monday, September 11, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 174 (Monday, September 11, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 62344]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-19455]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XD335]
Marine Mammals; File No. 27426
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 Oregon State University, Marine
Mammal Institute, 2030 Marine Science Drive, Newport, OR 97365
(Responsible Party: Lisa Ballance, Ph.D.), has applied in due form for
a permit to conduct research on marine mammals.
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before October 11, 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. 27426 from the list of available applications. These documents are
also available upon written request via email to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5a14171c09740a286b193537373f342e291a34353b3b743d352c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a7e9eae1f489f7d596e4c8cacac2c9d3d4e7c9c8c6c689c0c8d1">[email protected]</span></a>.
Written comments on this application should be submitted via email
to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e0aeada6b3ceb092d1a38f8d8d858e9493a08e8f8181ce878f96"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="420c0f04116c123073012d2f2f272c3631022c2d23236c252d34">[email protected]</span></a>. Please include File No. 27426 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#27696a61740977551664484a4a42495354674948464609404851"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a4eae9e2f78af4d695e7cbc9c9c1cad0d7e4cacbc5c58ac3cbd2">[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 research permit to study abundance,
density, distribution, movements, behavior, ecology, health, and stock
structure of marine mammals in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Southern
Oceans. Research may occur in U.S. and international waters on 72
species of marine mammals, including the following ESA-listed
cetaceans: blue (Balaenoptera musculus), bowhead (Balaena mysticetes),
fin (Balaenoptera physalus), gray (Eschrichtius robustus; Western North
Pacific distinct population segment [DPS]), humpback (Megaptera
novaeangliae; Central America, Mexico, Western North Pacific, and Cape
Verde DPSs), killer (Orcinus orca; Southern Resident DPS), North
Pacific right (Eubalaena japonica), Rice's (Balaenoptera ricei), sei
(Balaenoptera borealis), Southern right (E. australis), and sperm
(Physeter macrocephalus) whales. Research for cetaceans would include
vessel and aerial surveys (manned and unmanned) for observations,
photography, video recordings, thermal imaging, photogrammetry, passive
acoustics, echosounders for prey mapping, biological sampling (exhaled
air, sloughed skin, feces, and skin and blubber biopsy), and tagging
(suction-cup, dart, and deep-implant). Eleven species of pinnipeds may
be harassed and opportunistically studied during research including the
following ESA-listed species: Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus;
Western DPS), and bearded (Erignathus barbatus), Guadalupe fur
(Arctocephalus townsendi), Hawaiian monk (Neomonachus schauinslandi),
ringed (Phoca hispida), and spotted (P. largha) seals. Parts from all
species of cetaceans and pinnipeds (excluding walrus) collected under
separate authorizations may be imported, exported, and received
annually for scientific research, and secondarily used for curation and
education. See the application for complete 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: September 5, 2023.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-19455 Filed 9-8-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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