Notice2023-25920
Marine Mammals; File No. 26593
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
November 24, 2023
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
Notice is hereby given that Adam Pack, Ph.D., University of Hawaii at Hilo, 200 West Kawili Street, Hilo, HI 96720, has applied for an amendment to Scientific Research Permit No. 26593.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 225 (Friday, November 24, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 225 (Friday, November 24, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 82340]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-25920]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XD551]
Marine Mammals; File No. 26593
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 Adam Pack, Ph.D., University of
Hawaii at Hilo, 200 West Kawili Street, Hilo, HI 96720, has applied for
an amendment to Scientific Research Permit No. 26593.
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before December 26,
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. 26593 from the list of available applications. These documents are
also available upon written request via email to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e1afaca7b2cfb193d0a28e8c8c848f9592a18f8e8080cf868e97"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d49a999287fa84a6e597bbb9b9b1baa0a794babbb5b5fab3bba2">[email protected]</span></a>.
Written comments on this application should be submitted via email
to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4a04070c19641a387b092527272f243e390a24252b2b642d253c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c6888b8095e896b4f785a9ababa3a8b2b586a8a9a7a7e8a1a9b0">[email protected]</span></a>. Please include File No. 26593 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#632d2e25304d331152200c0e0e060d1710230d0c02024d040c15"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e4aaa9a2b7cab496d5a78b8989818a9097a48a8b8585ca838b92">[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: Carrie Hubard or Courtney Smith,
Ph.D., (301) 427-8401.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 26593 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).
Permit No. 26593, issued on March 13, 2023 (88 FR 23400, April 17,
2023), authorizes the permit holder to study 29 cetacean species in
Hawaiian and Alaskan waters, with a focus on humpback whales (Megaptera
novaeangliae). The purpose of the research is to examine the behavioral
ecology, biology and communication systems of humpback whales as well
as the abundance, distribution, behavior, and physiological stress
levels of all cetacean species in the study area. Research may be
conducted from boats, airplanes, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), and
underwater. Animals may be studied using photo-ID, videogrammetry,
passive acoustic recordings, behavioral observations, collection of
fecal and skin samples, biopsy sampling, and suction-cup tagging. The
permit holder is requesting the permit be amended to add active
acoustic playbacks to humpback whales and to authorize suction-cup
tagging of an additional 98 humpback whales annually as part of the
acoustic research. In addition, Dr. Pack is requesting to add UAS
deployment of suction-cup tags as a procedure for humpback whales. The
objective of the acoustic playbacks are to examine humpback whale
responses to vessel engine noise, conspecific sounds, natural ambient
noise, and tonal sounds in Hawaiian waters. The permit expires on April
30, 2028.
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: November 20, 2023.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-25920 Filed 11-22-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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