Notice2025-17824
Marine Mammals; File No. 29017
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 16, 2025
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
Notice is hereby given that Alaska Department of Fish and Game, P.O. Box 25526, Juneau, AK 99802, (Responsible Party: Lori Quakenbush, Ph.D.), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on seven whale species.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 177 (Tuesday, September 16, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 177 (Tuesday, September 16, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Page 44648]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-17824]
[[Page 44648]]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XF059]
Marine Mammals; File No. 29017
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 Alaska Department of Fish and
Game, P.O. Box 25526, Juneau, AK 99802, (Responsible Party: Lori
Quakenbush, Ph.D.), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct
research on seven whale species.
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before October 16, 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.
29017 from the list of available applications. These documents are also
available upon written request via email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5816151e0b76082a691b3735353d362c2b1836373939763f372e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2b65666d78057b591a684446464e455f586b45444a4a054c445d">[email protected]</span></a>.
Written comments on this application should be submitted via email
to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ace2e1eaff82fcde9defc3c1c1c9c2d8dfecc2c3cdcd82cbc3da"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6c22212a3f423c1e5d2f0301010902181f2c02030d0d420b031a">[email protected]</span></a>. Please include File No. 29017 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#8ac4c7ccd9a4daf8bbc9e5e7e7efe4fef9cae4e5ebeba4ede5fc"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2d63606b7e037d5f1c6e4240404843595e6d43424c4c034a425b">[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.), and the
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226).
The applicant proposes to conduct research on whales in the Bering,
Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas (U.S. and international waters) adjacent to
Alaska. Target species include: beluga (Delphinapterus leucas),
endangered bowhead (Balaena mysticetus), endangered fin (Balaenoptera
physalus), endangered gray (Eschrichtius robustus), threatened and
endangered humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), killer (Orcinus orca),
and minke (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) whales. Research topics would
include movements, habitat use, individual and stock identification,
population abundance, health, hormone analysis, and behavior relative
to environmental conditions and human-caused disturbances. Researchers
would conduct vessel and drone surveys of whales for remote tagging
(dart/barb, deep implant, or suction-cup); biopsy sampling; sloughed
skin collection; photography; photo-identification; and observations.
Biological samples collected on the high seas or in foreign waters
would be imported into the United States. The applicant also requests
to conduct aerial surveys and net captures for measurements,
photography, biological sampling, and tagging (invasive and/or suction-
cup) of four beluga whale stocks. Threatened bearded (Erignathus
barbatus, Beringia distinct population segment), harbor (Phoca
vitulina), threatened ringed (Pusa hispida, Arctic stock), and spotted
(Phoca largha) seals and beluga whales may be unintentionally harassed,
and some seal species may be unintentionally captured during research
activities. Up to six unintentional beluga mortalities could occur
during captures over the duration of the permit. See the application
for numbers of animals requested by species, life stages, and
procedures. The applicant also requests to collect, import, export,
and/or receive parts of the above cetacean species and unidentified
cetaceans for scientific research. The permit is requested for 10
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 11, 2025.
Shannon Bettridge,
Chief, Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Conservation Division, Office of
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-17824 Filed 9-15-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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