Notice2025-05388
Marine Mammals; File No. 24378
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
March 28, 2025
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
Notice is hereby given that The University of Alaska Southeast, 1332 Seward Ave, Sitka, AK 99835 (Responsible Party: Jan Straley), has applied for an amendment to scientific research Permit No. 24378-01.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 59 (Friday, March 28, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 59 (Friday, March 28, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14118-14119]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-05388]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XE713]
Marine Mammals; File No. 24378
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 University of Alaska
Southeast, 1332 Seward Ave, Sitka, AK 99835 (Responsible Party: Jan
Straley), has applied for an amendment to scientific research Permit
No. 24378-01.
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before April 28, 2025.
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.
24378 from the list of available applications. These documents are also
available upon written request via email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#89c7c4cfdaa7d9fbb8cae6e4e4ece7fdfac9e7e6e8e8a7eee6ff"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b6f8fbf0e598e6c487f5d9dbdbd3d8c2c5f6d8d9d7d798d1d9c0">[email protected]</span></a>.
Written comments on this application should be submitted via email
to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b0fefdf6e39ee0c281f3dfddddd5dec4c3f0dedfd1d19ed7dfc6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c48a898297ea94b6f587aba9a9a1aab0b784aaaba5a5eaa3abb2">[email protected]</span></a>. Please include File No. 24378 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#94dad9d2c7bac4e6a5d7fbf9f9f1fae0e7d4fafbf5f5baf3fbe2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="400e0d06136e103271032f2d2d252e3433002e2f21216e272f36">[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: Shannon Bent, or Courtney Smith,
Ph.D., (301) 427-8401.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 24378-01
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 through 226), and
the Fur Seal Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).
Permit No. 24378-01, issued on April 28, 2023 (87 FR 80527,
December 30, 2022), authorizes the permit holder to conduct research on
18 species of cetaceans in Alaska, focusing on gray (Eschrichtius
robustus), humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), killer (Orcinus orca),
and sperm (Physeter macrocephalus) whales. The permitted objectives are
to further the biological understanding of Alaskan cetaceans by
evaluating species abundance, population and stock structure, life
history parameters, foraging behavior and prey specialization, social
behavior, seasonal movements and migrations, and depredation
interactions with longline fishing vessels. Research methods include
close approach by vessels and UAS to conduct activities that may result
in Level B harassment including photo-identification, behavioral
observations, underwater photography/video, active acoustic sonar for
prey mapping, biological sampling (prey samples, exhaled air, sloughed
skin, feces), and collection of eDNA. The research also includes
activities that may result in Level A harassment including biopsy
sampling and tagging (suction-cup and dart/barb). Some marine mammal
parts may be exported for analysis.
The permit holder is requesting the permit be amended to include
authorization for an increase in annual take numbers of gray whales
from 250 to 1,000 for activities that may cause Level B harassment. The
purpose of the requested amendment is to account for an unanticipated
increase in observed gray whale numbers in Sitka Sound, and to allow
researchers to continue their efforts to better understand their
population dynamics, demographics, body condition, and foraging
strategies. The amendment would not change the permit duration; the
permit will expire on April 30, 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.
[[Page 14119]]
Dated: March 25, 2025.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-05388 Filed 3-27-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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