[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 40 (Wednesday, February 29, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12244-12245]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-4833]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XB042
Marine Mammals; File No. 16325
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 Jooke Robbins, Ph.D., Center for
Coastal Studies (CCS), 5 Holway Avenue, Provincetown, MA 02657, has
applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on humpback whales
(Megaptera novaeangliae), fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), blue
whales (B. musculus), sei whales (B. borealis), minke whales (B.
acutorostrata), sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus), and killer
whales (Orcinus orca).
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or
before March 30, 2012.
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
(APPS) home page, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File
No. 16325 from the list of available applications.
These documents are also available upon written request or by
appointment in the following offices:
Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources,
NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910;
phone (301) 427-8401; fax (301) 713-0376;
Northeast Region, NMFS, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA
01930; phone (978) 281-9328; fax (978) 281-9394; and
Southeast Region, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, FL
33701; phone (727) 824-5312; fax (727) 824-5309.
Written comments on this application should be submitted to the
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, at the address listed above.
Comments may also be submitted by facsimile to (301) 713-0376, or by
email to [email protected]. Please
[[Page 12245]]
include the File No. in the subject line of the email comment.
Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a
written request to the Chief, Permits and Conservation Division at the
address listed above. The request should set forth the specific reasons
why a hearing on this application would be appropriate.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joselyd Garcia-Reyes or Carrie Hubard,
(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 222-226).
The applicant requests a permit to conduct close vessel approaches;
photo-identification and behavioral observations; photogrammetry;
collection of exhaled air, feces and sloughed skin; and skin and
blubber biopsy sampling import and export of parts; in order to
continue a long-term study of North Atlantic humpback whales and to
improve understanding of six other species in the North Atlantic (fin,
blue, sei, minke, sperm and killer whales). Research would occur in the
waters off Maine to Florida and Puerto Rico. The purposes of the
research are to: (1) Monitor trends in abundance and vital rates, (2)
study movement and habitat use patterns, including individual exchange
with other populations, (3) study entanglement rates and human-related
impacts, (4) perform genetic investigations into demography and
reproductive success, (5) perform hormone-based studies into
reproduction and neonatal mortality, and (6) perform stable isotope
investigations into foraging ecology and nutritional stress in humpback
whales. Research on the other species would focus primarily on
population structure, human impacts, and health. Up to 2,100 humpback
whales, 250 fin whales, 100 sei whales, and 50 whales from each of the
remaining species could be harassed each year during photo-
identification activities, and collection of sloughed skin, exhaled
mucosa/gases, and/or feces. In addition, 340 humpback whales, 90 fin
whales, 70 sei whales, and 30 whales from each of the remaining species
could be harassed each year to acquire successful skin and blubber
biopsy samples. North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) and
14 other non-listed marine mammals could be incidentally harassed. See
the application for specific take numbers by location and species/
stock. The permit would be valid for a period of five years.
A draft environmental assessment (EA) has been prepared in
compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), to examine whether significant environmental
impacts could result from issuance of the proposed scientific research
permit. The draft EA is available for review and comment simultaneous
with the scientific research permit application.
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: February 24, 2012.
Tammy Adams,
Acting Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-4833 Filed 2-28-12; 8:45 am]
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