Notice2026-15918
Marine Mammals; File No. 29817
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
August 6, 2026
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
Notice is hereby given that the NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Marine Mammal Laboratory, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115 (Responsible Party: Nancy Friday, Ph.D.), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on marine mammals.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 150 (Thursday, August 6, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 150 (Thursday, August 6, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Page 50806]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-15918]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XF949]
Marine Mammals; File No. 29817
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 the NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science
Center, Marine Mammal Laboratory, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA
98115 (Responsible Party: Nancy Friday, Ph.D.), has applied in due form
for a permit to conduct research on marine mammals.
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before September 8,
2026.
ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available upon
written request via email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5a14171c09740a286b193537373f342e291a34353b3b743d352c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a4eae9e2f78af4d695e7cbc9c9c1cad0d7e4cacbc5c58ac3cbd2">[email protected]</span></a>.
Written comments on this application should be submitted via email
to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#723c3f34215c220043311d1f1f171c0601321c1d13135c151d04"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="531d1e15007d032162103c3e3e363d2720133d3c32327d343c25">[email protected]</span></a>. Please include File No. 29817 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#703e3d36235e200241331f1d1d151e0403301e1f11115e171f06"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7b35363d28552b094a381416161e150f083b15141a1a551c140d">[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 Courtney
Smith, Ph.D., (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.), the
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226), and the Fur
Seal Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).
The applicant requests a 10-year permit to conduct research on 20
species of cetaceans in U.S. and international waters of the Pacific
and Atlantic Oceans. Nine species of pinnipeds may be harassed during
research. ESA-listed species include: beluga (Delphinapterus leucas),
blue (Balaenoptera musculus), bowhead (Balaena mysticetus), fin
(Balaenoptera physalus), gray (Eschrichtius robustus), humpback
(Megaptera novaeangliae), killer (Orcinus orca), North Pacific right
(Eubalaena japonica), sei (Balaenoptera borealis), and sperm (Physeter
macrocephalus) whales; Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus); and
bearded (Erignathus barbatus), Guadalupe fur (Arctocephalus townsendi),
and ringed (Pusa hispida) seals. The objectives of the research are to
study cetacean population abundance, trends, distribution, health, and
status. Animals may be taken during vessel and aerial surveys,
including uncrewed aircraft systems, for counts, photography,
videography, observations, biological sampling (blow, feces, sloughed
skin, predation remains, and skin and blubber biopsies), and tagging
(suction-cup, dart/barb, and deep-implant). Marine mammal parts may
also be imported and exported for analysis and curation. See the
application for complete numbers of animals requested by species, life
stage, 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: August 3, 2026.
Larissa Plants,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-15918 Filed 8-5-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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