Notice2024-21524
Marine Mammals; File No. 27543
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 20, 2024
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
Notice is hereby given that Marine Ecology and Telemetry Research, 2468 Camp McKenzie Trl NW, Seabeck WA 98380 (Responsible Party: Greg Schorr), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on and import specimens of 47 marine mammal species including the following endangered species and Distinct Population Segments (DPSs): blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus), bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus), Main Hawaiian Islands Insular DPS of false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens), fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), Western DPS of gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus), Western North Pacific DPS and Central America DPS of humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), Southern Resident DPS of killer whale (Orcinus orca), North Pacific right whale (Eubalaena japonica), sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis), and sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus).
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 183 (Friday, September 20, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 183 (Friday, September 20, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 77103]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-21524]
[[Page 77103]]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XE303]
Marine Mammals; File No. 27543
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 Marine Ecology and Telemetry
Research, 2468 Camp McKenzie Trl NW, Seabeck WA 98380 (Responsible
Party: Greg Schorr), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct
research on and import specimens of 47 marine mammal species including
the following endangered species and Distinct Population Segments
(DPSs): blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus), bowhead whale (Balaena
mysticetus), Main Hawaiian Islands Insular DPS of false killer whale
(Pseudorca crassidens), fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), Western DPS
of gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus), Western North Pacific DPS and
Central America DPS of humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae),
Southern Resident DPS of killer whale (Orcinus orca), North Pacific
right whale (Eubalaena japonica), sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis),
and sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus).
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before October 21, 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.
27543 from the list of available applications. These documents are also
available upon written request via email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#024c4f44512c527033416d6f6f676c7671426c6d63632c656d74"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a9e7e4effa87f9db98eac6c4c4ccc7dddae9c7c6c8c887cec6df">[email protected]</span></a>.
Written comments on this application should be submitted via email
to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#8ec0c3c8dda0defcbfcde1e3e3ebe0fafdcee0e1efefa0e9e1f8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="317f7c77621f614300725e5c5c545f4542715f5e50501f565e47">[email protected]</span></a>. Please include File No. 27543 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#7f3132392c512f0d4e3c1012121a110b0c3f11101e1e51181009"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5d13101b0e730d2f6c1e3230303833292e1d33323c3c733a322b">[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 Sara Young, (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 proposes to assess the biology and ecology of
cetaceans in U.S. and international waters along the U.S. west coast
south to the Baja California Peninsula, Hawaii and Alaska. The main
research objectives are to investigate cetacean (1) distribution,
abundance, stock structure, habitat use and demographics, (2)
behavioral ecology, (3) population health and exposure to potential
stressors, and (4) behavioral responses to military sound sources.
Research would be conducted from vessel and aerial platforms (manned
and unmanned aircraft systems), for: counts, sample collection (prey
remains, fecal, sloughed skin, skin and blubber biopsy, breath),
observations, acoustic recordings, acoustic playbacks, photo-
identification, videography, photogrammetry, tagging, and tracking.
Researchers may attach up to two tag types (suction-cup, dart/barb, or
deep implant) at a time to some animals. Researchers may
unintentionally disturb seven pinniped species, including the
endangered Western DPS of Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) and
Hawaiian monk seals (Neomonachus schauinslandi), during studies.
Biological samples collected in international waters may be imported
and re-exported. See the application for take numbers requested. 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: September 17, 2024.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-21524 Filed 9-19-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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