Notice2024-00139
Marine Mammals; File No. 25563
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
January 8, 2024
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
Notice is hereby given that the NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Marine Mammal Laboratory, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115 (Responsible Party: John Bengtson, Ph.D.), has applied for an amendment to Scientific Research Permit No. 25563.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 5 (Monday, January 8, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 5 (Monday, January 8, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 906-907]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-00139]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XD609]
Marine Mammals; File No. 25563
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 the NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science
Center, Marine Mammal Laboratory, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA
98115 (Responsible Party: John Bengtson, Ph.D.), has applied for an
amendment to Scientific Research Permit No. 25563.
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before February 7, 2024.
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
home page, <a href="https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov">https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov</a>, and then selecting File No.
25563 from the list of available applications. These documents are also
available upon written request via email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d49a999287fa84a6e597bbb9b9b1baa0a794babbb5b5fab3bba2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="511f1c17027f012360123e3c3c343f2522113f3e30307f363e27">[email protected]</span></a>.
Written comments on this application should be submitted via email
to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cb85868d98e59bb9fa88a4a6a6aea5bfb88ba5a4aaaae5aca4bd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b6f8fbf0e598e6c487f5d9dbdbd3d8c2c5f6d8d9d7d798d1d9c0">[email protected]</span></a>. Please include File No. 25563 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#430d0e05106d133172002c2e2e262d3730032d2c22226d242c35"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="efa1a2a9bcc1bf9ddeac8082828a819b9caf81808e8ec1888099">[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: Amy Hapeman or Shasta McClenahan,
Ph.D., (301) 427-8401.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 25563 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), and the Fur
Seal Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).
Permit No. 25563, issued on November 8, 2021 (86 FR 70828, December
13, 2021), authorizes the permit holder to monitor cetacean population
trends, abundance, distribution, and health in the North Pacific Ocean,
the Bering, Beaufort, and Chukchi Seas, and the Gulf of Maine.
Researchers may conduct aerial and vessel surveys to study 20 species
of cetaceans including endangered or threatened blue (Balaenoptera
musculus), bowhead (Balaena mysticetus), Cook Inlet beluga
(Delphinapterus leucas), fin (Balaenoptera physalus), gray
(Eschrichtius robustus), humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), North
Pacific
[[Page 907]]
right (Eubalaena japonica), sei (Balaenoptera borealis), Southern
Resident killer (Orcinus orca), and sperm (Physeter macrocephalus)
whales. Surveys are authorized for a suite of methods: observations,
counts, photography/videography (underwater, topside, and aerial),
photogrammetry, photo-identification, biological sampling (exhaled air,
feces, blubber and skin, sloughed skin, environmental DNA, and prey
remains), invasive and non-invasive tagging, and active acoustics.
Researchers may attach up to two tags on a whale at a time. Biological
samples collected on the high seas may be imported to the United
States. Up to nine species of pinnipeds may be unintentionally harassed
during surveys. See the take tables for specific numbers and life
stages authorized for each species.
The permit holder is requesting the permit be amended to include
authorization for blue, fin, gray, and humpback whales (adult and
juvenile life stages) to receive up to three tags (suction-cup, dart/
barb tag, and deep implant) at the same time. Deployment of three tags
at a time will allow researchers to better understand whale movements
and habitat use and to validate new sensors. The number of takes
authorized for each species would not change. The amendment would be
valid for the duration of the permit, which is set to expire October
31, 2026.
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: January 3, 2024.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-00139 Filed 1-5-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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