Notice2025-08380
Marine Mammals; File No. 26663
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
May 13, 2025
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
Notice is hereby given that Alaska Whale Foundation, P.O. Box 1927, Petersburg, AK 99833 (Responsible Party: Andy Szabo, Ph.D.), has applied for an amendment to Scientific Research Permit No. 26663-01.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 91 (Tuesday, May 13, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 91 (Tuesday, May 13, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Page 20283]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-08380]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XE738]
Marine Mammals; File No. 26663
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 Alaska Whale Foundation, P.O. Box
1927, Petersburg, AK 99833 (Responsible Party: Andy Szabo, Ph.D.), has
applied for an amendment to Scientific Research Permit No. 26663-01.
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before June 12, 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.
26663 from the list of available applications. These documents are also
available upon written request via email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a4eae9e2f78af4d695e7cbc9c9c1cad0d7e4cacbc5c58ac3cbd2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bef0f3f8ed90eecc8ffdd1d3d3dbd0cacdfed0d1dfdf90d9d1c8">[email protected]</span></a>.
Written comments on this application should be submitted via email
to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7d33303b2e532d0f4c3e1210101813090e3d13121c1c531a120b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="81cfccc7d2afd1f3b0c2eeecece4eff5f2c1efeee0e0afe6eef7">[email protected]</span></a>. Please include File No. 26663 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#3d73707b6e136d4f0c7e5250505853494e7d53525c5c135a524b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5816151e0b76082a691b3735353d362c2b1836373939763f372e">[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 at (301) 427-8401.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment 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. 26663, issued on January 20, 2024 (89 FR 9838, February
12, 2024), authorizes the research on humpback whales (Megaptera
novaeangliae) and nine other cetacean species in southeast Alaska to
study distribution, abundance trends, acoustic ecology, and health.
Authorized research methods during vessel and unmanned aircraft surveys
(UAS) include photo-id, photogrammetry, behavioral observations,
underwater photography, passive acoustic recordings, acoustic
playbacks, biological sampling (exhaled air, sloughed skin, fecal, skin
and blubber biopsy), and suction-cup tags. Non-listed pinnipeds may be
unintentionally harassed during research. One amendment to the permit
changed the Responsible Party (No. 26663-01, February 26, 2025). The
permit holder is requesting the permit be amended to increase takes of
gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) due to an increased presence in the
study area. Annually up to 400 gray whales (an increase from 200) would
be studied in the same manner as currently authorized for Level B
harassment activities. Additionally, up to 100 gray whales could be
biopsy sampled and 50 whales could be biopsy sampled and suction-cup
tagged annually following the currently permitted methods for humpback
whales. The applicant is also updating methods for suction-cup tags to
include deployment by UAS. The permit expires on February 15, 2029.
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: May 7, 2025.
Kimberly Damon-Randall,
Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-08380 Filed 5-12-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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