Notice2026-04794
Marine Mammals; Issuance of Letters of Confirmation
Primary source
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Published
March 12, 2026
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
Notice is hereby given that, in the year 2025, the following individuals and institutions have been issued Letters of Confirmation (LOCs) for activities conducted under the General Authorization for Scientific Research on marine mammals. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for a list of names and addresses of recipients.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 48 (Thursday, March 12, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 48 (Thursday, March 12, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12146-12147]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-04794]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XF418]
Marine Mammals; Issuance of Letters of Confirmation
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; issuance of permits.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that, in the year 2025, the following
individuals and institutions have been issued Letters of Confirmation
(LOCs) for activities conducted under the General Authorization for
Scientific Research on marine mammals. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
for a list of names and addresses of recipients.
ADDRESSES: The LOCs and related documents are available for review upon
written request via email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a3edeee5f08df3d192e0cccecec6cdd7d0e3cdccc2c28dc4ccd5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a1efece7f28ff1d390e2ceccccc4cfd5d2e1cfcec0c08fc6ced7">[email protected]</span></a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Hapeman (LOC Nos. 24033-01, 25638-
02, 28412, 28781, 28811-01, 28851, 29005); Shasta McClenahan, Ph.D.
(LOC Nos. 23069-02; 23673, 28083, 28797); Courtney Smith, Ph.D. (LOC
No. 28811, 29177); and Sara Young (LOC Nos. 25751-01, 28613, 28653,
28669, 28905) at the email listed above or 301-427-8401.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The requested LOCs have been issued 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 General
Authorization allows for bona fide scientific research that may result
only in taking by Level B harassment of marine mammals. The below LOCs
were issued in the calendar year 2025 (January 1, 2025-December 31,
2025).
File No. 23069-02: Issued to Florida Atlantic University's Harbor
Branch Oceanographic Institute, 5353 Parkside Drive Building MC17, Room
109, Jupiter, FL 33458 (Responsible Party [RP]: Gregg Fields, Ph.D.;
Principal Investigator [PI]: Steven Burton) on March 16, 2021. The LOC
authorizes vessel-based photo-identification and observational surveys
of nine species of cetaceans in Florida for research on cetacean
biology, ecology, behavior, social structure, health, and anthropogenic
activities: Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis), bottlenose
dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae;
Gulf of Maine Stock/West Indies Distinct Population Segment [DPS]),
long-finned (Globicephala melas) and short-finned (Globicephala
macrorhynchus) pilot whale, pantropical spotted dolphin (Stenella
attenuatta), pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps), Risso's dolphin
(Grampus griseus), and Rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis). This
amended LOC action adds an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) for research
and extends the duration for 12 months until March 31, 2027.
File No. 23673: This LOC, held by the Wild Dolphin Project (PI:
Denise Herzing, Ph.D.), was extended on May 13, 2025, while the
holder's new application (File No. 29005) was in process. The LOC
authorizes vessel-based research of 13 species of cetaceans including:
Atlantic spotted, bottlenose, Fraser's (Lagenorhyncus hosei),
pantropical spotted, Risso's, spinner (Stenella longirostris), striped
(Stenella coeruleoalba), and unidentified lagenorhynchine
(Lagenorhyncus spp.) dolphins; and false killer (Pseudorca crassidens),
unidentified beaked (Ziphius cavirostris and Mesoplodon spp.), long-
finned and short-finned pilot, and unidentified Kogia (dwarf or pygmy
sperm; Kogia spp.) whales. Research is authorized within Florida waters
of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of America from Martin County through
the Florida Keys including in the Intracoastal Waterway, coastal
waters, and offshore waters. The objectives of the research have not
changed. The extended LOC expires on May 31, 2026.
File No. 24033-01: Issued to Eric Montie, Ph.D., University of
South Carolina Beaufort, One University Boulevard, Bluffton, South
Carolina, 29909 on January 30, 2025. This amended LOC action authorizes
a minor expansion in the location where research activities may occur
to include waters around Pritchards Island, South Carolina. The LOC
currently authorizes vessel-based research for photo-identification,
passive acoustics, photography/videography, and behavioral observations
of bottlenose dolphins in the coastal waters of Bluffton and Hilton
Head, South Carolina. The LOC expires on March 31, 2026.
File No. 25638-02: Issued to Clearwater Marine Aquarium
(Responsible Party: Kelly McAdams, Ph.D.), 249 Windward Passage,
Clearwater, FL 33767, on November 24, 2025. This amended LOC, for
research on coastal bottlenose dolphins, updated the list of authorized
personnel, including a change in Responsible Party (previously James
Powell, Ph.D.). The LOC expires on July 15, 2026.
File No. 25751-01: Issued to Shoals Marine Laboratory (Responsible
Party: Sara Morris, Ph.D.), 24 Colovos Road, Durham, NH 03824, on April
17, 2025. This amended LOC, for research on coastal pinnipeds, added
unmanned aircraft systems and updated personnel, including the
Responsible Party. The LOC expires on August 31, 2026.
File No. 28083: Issued to Patricia Fair, Ph.D., South Carolina
Aquarium, 100 Aquarium Wharf, Charleston, SC 29401 on January 29, 2025.
This LOC authorizes vessel and UAS surveys, including close approach,
counts, photography, photo-identification, photogrammetry, video
recording, behavioral observations, and passive acoustic recordings of
bottlenose dolphins. Research may occur in estuarine and coastal waters
near Charleston, South Carolina, including Charleston Harbor and the
Ashley, Cooper, and Wando Rivers. The LOC expires on January 31, 2030.
File No. 28412: Issued to Jeremy Kiszka, Ph.D., Florida
International University, 3000 NE 151st Street,
[[Page 12147]]
Marine Science Building, Room 359, North Miami, FL 33181 on April 17,
2025. This LOC authorizes close approach via vessel surveys for counts,
photography/videography, photo-identification, behavioral observations,
and focal follows of bottlenose dolphins in southeast Florida waters.
The LOC expires on April 30, 2030.
File No. 28613: Issued to Cindy Elliser, Ph.D., Pacific Mammal
Research, 1513 A Ave., Anacortes, WA 98221 on February 18, 2025. This
LOC authorizes close approach via vessel, ground, and aerial surveys
via UAS, counts, photography/videography, photo-identification, and
behavioral observations of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) and harbor
porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). Research will occur in the Salish Sea and
in the inland waters of Washington state. The LOC expires on February
12, 2030.
File No. 28653: Issued to Emily Wirtz, Wildlife Program Manager,
Lumi Nation, 2665 Kwina Rd., Bellingham, WA 98226 on March 4, 2025.
This LOC authorizes close approach via vessel, ground, and aerial
surveys via UAS, counts, photography/videography, photo-identification,
behavioral observations, and scat collection of harbor seals,
California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), and Steller sea lions
(Eumetopias jubatus, Eastern DPS). The LOC expires on December 31,
2026.
File No. 28669: Issued to Dylan Berger, Point No Point Treaty
Council, 19472 Powder Hill Pl. NE, Suite 210, Poulsbo, WA 98370 on
April 16, 2025. This LOC authorizes Level B harassment of harbor seals
during vessel and ground surveys for photography and scat collection in
the Dungeness Bay and River area of Washington State. The LOC expires
on May 31, 2027.
File No. 28781: Issued to the Low Country Marine Mammal Network
(Responsible Party: Lauren Rust) 1367 Clearbrook Street, North
Charleston, SC 29405 on May 15, 2025. This LOC authorizes Level B
harassment of bottlenose dolphins during vessel and UAS surveys
including close approach, counts, photo-identification, behavioral
observations, and focal follows in the Charleston Estuarine System,
including all major rivers and creeks, in South Carolina. The LOC
expires on May 31, 2030.
File No. 28797: Issued to Ruth H. Carmichael, Ph.D., Dauphin Island
Sea Lab, 101 Bienville Boulevard, Dauphin Island, AL 36528 on April 4,
2025. This LOC authorizes Level B harassment of bottlenose dolphins
during vessel and UAS surveys including close approach, counts,
photography, photo-identification, photogrammetry, videography,
behavioral observations, and focal follows within coastal, bay, sound,
and estuarine waters of Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
The LOC expires on April 15, 2035.
File No. 28811: Issued to Kimberly Jones, Ph.D., 1208 US Highway 1,
Ste. G, North Palm Beach, FL 33408, on September 16, 2025. This LOC
authorizes the taking by harassment of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins,
Atlantic spotted dolphins, and humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae;
Gulf of Maine stock/West Indies DPS) within offshore, coastal and
estuarine waters off Brunswick County, North Carolina. Research methods
include close approach with vessel and UAS surveys for photo-
identification, behavioral observations, monitoring, counts, and
photography/videography. The LOC expires on August 1, 2035.
File No. 28811-01: Issued to Kimberly Jones, Ph.D., Brunswick
Community College, 50 College Drive NE, Supply, North Carolina 28462 on
November 24, 2025. This amended LOC authorizes a minor expansion in the
location where research activities may occur to include waters of New
Hanover County, North Carolina. The LOC currently authorizes vessel and
UAS-based surveys for photo-identification, photography/videography,
counts, monitoring, and behavioral observations of cetaceans in the
offshore, coastal and estuarine waters off Brunswick County, North
Carolina. The LOC expires on August 1, 2035.
File No. 28851: Issued to Jonathan Scordino, Makah Tribe, Makah
Fisheries Management, P.O. Box 115, 150 Resort Drive, Neah Bay, WA
98357 on June 17, 2025. This LOC authorizes Level B harassment during
vessel and ground surveys of 27 cetacean and pinniped species for
counts; photography/videography; photo-identification; behavioral
observations; collection of blow, feces, scat, sloughed skin, and spew;
and unintentional harassment in U.S. waters of Alaska and the U.S. West
Coast. The LOC will take effect on October 1, 2025, and be valid
through September 30, 2035.
File No. 28905: Issued to Michelle Caputo, Ph.D., University of New
England, 11 Hills Beach Rd, Biddeford, ME 04005, on May 22, 2025. This
LOC authorizes take of two pinniped and six cetacean species during
vessel surveys, aerial surveys via UAS, photo-identification,
behavioral observations, and passive acoustic monitoring in the
southern Gulf of Maine: Atlantic white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus
acutus), gray seal (Halichoerus grypus), harbor porpoise, harbor seal,
long-finned pilot whale, short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus
delphis), white-beaked common dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris), and
minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata). The LOC expires on May 31,
2033.
File No. 29005: Issued to the Wild Dolphin Project (Responsible
Party: Denise Herzing, Ph.D.), 1208 US Highway 1, Ste. G, North Palm
Beach, FL 33408, on September 16, 2025. This LOC authorizes harassment
of cetaceans during vessel surveys and aerial surveys via UAS for close
approach, counts, photo-identification, photography/videography, and
behavioral observations in the Florida waters of Palm Beach and
southern Martin counties through the Florida Keys, including the
Intracoastal Waterway, and adjacent Atlantic waters up to 20 miles
offshore. Species that may be taken include Atlantic spotted dolphin,
bottlenose dolphin, Fraser's dolphin, Pantropical spotted dolphin,
Risso's dolphin, spinner dolphin, striped dolphin, false killer whale
(Pseudorca crassidens), and long-finned and short-finned pilot whales.
The LOC takes effect on June 1, 2026, and expires on May 31, 2031.
File No. 29177: This LOC, held by Tracy R. Kowalczyk, University of
North Carolina at Wilmington, 4915 Beech Tree Drive SE, Southport, NC
28461. The LOC authorizes the harassment of bottlenose dolphins, during
close approach from vessel and UAS surveys for counts, photography/
video, photoidentification, photogrammetry, and behavioral observations
and monitoring in coastal waters and offshore (up to 2 miles) waters of
North Carolina from Topsail Intel south to Carolina Beach, including
the Cape Fear River. Seventeen additional species of cetaceans may also
be taken if encountered opportunistically. The LOC expires on December
1, 2035.
In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), a final determination has been made that the
activities are categorically excluded from the requirement to prepare
an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.
Dated: March 9, 2026.
Shannon Bettridge,
Chief, Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Conservation Division, Office of
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-04794 Filed 3-11-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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