Notice2025-14129
Marine Mammals; File No. 28408
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
July 28, 2025
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
Notice is hereby given that Iain Kerr, D.H.L., Ocean Alliance, 32 Horton Street, Gloucester, MA 01930, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on marine mammals.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 142 (Monday, July 28, 2025)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 142 (Monday, July 28, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35506-35507]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-14129]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XE924]
Marine Mammals; File No. 28408
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
[[Page 35507]]
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Iain Kerr, D.H.L., Ocean Alliance,
32 Horton Street, Gloucester, MA 01930, has applied in due form for a
permit to conduct research on marine mammals.
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before August 27, 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.
28408 from the list of available applications. These documents are also
available upon written request via email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3c72717a6f126c4e0d7f5351515952484f7c52535d5d125b534a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="450b0803166b153774062a2828202b3136052b2a24246b222a33">[email protected]</span></a>.
Written comments on this application should be submitted via email
to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#16585b50453846642755797b7b73786265567879777738717960"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="86c8cbc0d5a8d6f4b7c5e9ebebe3e8f2f5c6e8e9e7e7a8e1e9f0">[email protected]</span></a>. Please include File No. 28408 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#602e2d26334e301251230f0d0d050e1413200e0f01014e070f16"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bff1f2f9ec91efcd8efcd0d2d2dad1cbccffd1d0dede91d8d0c9">[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, (301) 427-8401.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit 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 (ESA; 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).
The applicant requests a 10-year permit to conduct research in U.S.
and international waters of the North Atlantic Ocean and Hawaii to
study behavioral, feeding, and acoustic ecology, distribution,
toxicology, microplastics, and the effects of anthropogenic noise. Up
to 15 species of cetaceans and 2 species of pinnipeds may be harassed
including the following ESA-listed species: blue whales (Balaenoptera
musculus), fin whales (B. physalus), North Atlantic right whales
(Eubalaena glacialis), sei whales (B. borealis), and sperm whales
(Physeter macrocephalus). Research may be conducted from a vessel or
unmanned aircraft system for counts, observations, photography and
video recording, photo-ID, photogrammetry, thermal imaging, passive
acoustics, biological sampling (exhaled air, feces, sloughed skin, and
skin and blubber biopsy), cell line development, and suction-cup
tagging. Parts may be imported and exported for analysis, including
those collected on the high seas, and parts collected in foreign
territorial waters. See the application for complete numbers of animals
requested by species, age-class, and procedure.
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: July 23, 2025.
Shannon Bettridge,
Chief, Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Conservation Division, Office of
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-14129 Filed 7-25-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on July 28, 2025.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.