Notice2025-08942
Marine Mammals; File No. 22156
Primary source
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Published
May 20, 2025
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
Notice is hereby given that Douglas Nowacek, Ph.D., Duke University, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University Marine Laboratory, 135 Duke Marine Lab Rd., Beaufort, NC 28516, has been issued a minor amendment to Scientific Research Permit No. 22156-05.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 96 (Tuesday, May 20, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 96 (Tuesday, May 20, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Page 21471]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-08942]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XE870]
Marine Mammals; File No. 22156
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit amendment.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Douglas Nowacek, Ph.D., Duke
University, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University Marine
Laboratory, 135 Duke Marine Lab Rd., Beaufort, NC 28516, has been
issued a minor amendment to Scientific Research Permit No. 22156-05.
ADDRESSES: The amendment and related documents are available for review
upon written request via email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#054b4843562b557734466a6868606b7176456b6a64642b626a73"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="642a2922374a341655270b0909010a1017240a0b05054a030b12">[email protected]</span></a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Hapeman or Shasta McClenahan,
Ph.D., (301) 427-8401.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The requested amendment has been granted
under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as
amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) and 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).
The original permit (No. 22156), issued on May 8, 2020 (85 FR
35638, June 11, 2020) authorized the permit holder to conduct research
on 31 cetacean species in U.S. and international waters of the North
Atlantic Ocean. Species include endangered blue (Balaenoptera
musculus), fin (B. physalus), sei (B. borealis), and sperm (Physeter
macrocephalus) whales. Researchers may conduct surveys by vessel and an
unmanned aircraft system (UAS) to approach, count, observe, photograph,
remotely measure, and track cetaceans. During surveys, researchers may
conduct acoustic playback trials, collect biological samples, and tag
animals. Non-target cetaceans in the vicinity of research may be
unintentionally harassed. Biological samples collected in international
waters may be imported into the United States and cell lines may be
developed from tissue samples. Two minor amendments to the permit were
issued to update biopsy sampling mitigation measures (Permit No. 22156-
01; January 29, 2021) and expand the use of UAS to all authorized
species (Permit No. 22156-02; May 23, 2022). A major amendment to the
permit was issued to authorize dart tagging of 12 species in the permit
and reallocate take numbers for fin whales (Permit No. 22156-03; March
15, 2023). A minor amendment to the permit was issued to authorize an
additional method of collecting blow samples (Permit No. 22156-04; June
30, 2023). A major amendment to the permit was issued to authorize
temporary paintball marking of two cetacean species authorized in the
permit (Permit No. 22156-05; October 16, 2023). This minor amendment
extends the duration of the permit through May 31, 2026, but does not
change any other terms or conditions of the permit.
Dated: May 14, 2025.
Shannon Bettridge,
Chief, Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Conservation Division, Office of
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-08942 Filed 5-19-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on May 20, 2025.
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