[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 68 (Tuesday, April 9, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21113-21114]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-08173]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XC599
Marine Mammals; File No. 17845
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 Rachel Cartwright, Keiki Kohola
Project, 5277 West Wooley Rd., Oxnard, CA 93035, has applied in due
form for a permit to conduct research on humpback whales (Megaptera
novaeangliae).
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or
before May 9, 2013.
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. 17845 from the list of available applications.
These documents are also available upon written request or by
appointment in the following offices: ``See SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION.''
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 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: Kristy Beard 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 proposed five-year permit would authorize the level A and B
harassment of humpback whales during photo-identification, behavioral
follows, and surface and underwater observations in Hawaii, Alaska, and
California. The applicant would approach up to 1,047 humpback whales in
Hawaii, 630 in Alaska and 480 in California each year. Short-term, non-
invasive, suction cup tagging of maternal females would be conducted
within Hawaiian waters to document nocturnal behaviors and fine-scale
movements and in Californian waters to better understand use of waters
around the Santa Barbara Channel and Channel Islands (Anacapa, Santa
Cruz and Santa Rosa Islands). Twelve tags would be deployed annually in
both Hawaii and California; two attempts would be made to attach a tag
to an individual. Surveys would be conducted between December and May
each year within Hawaiian waters and for a four to six week period
between April and November in Alaskan and Californian waters each year.
The purpose of the proposed research is to identify and define critical
habitat used by maternal female humpback whales and their calves,
across the period from infancy to maturity and independence. Inherent
in this goal is the understanding of the functionality of
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behavior during this period, with regards to both the maternal female
and her calf. This study would provide the information required to
ensure that management practices in waters used by maternal females,
their calves and maturing juvenile whales are effective and accurately
targeted. Opportunistic research on Pacific white-sided dolphins
(Lagenorhynchus obliquidens), Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus),
Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli), blue whales (Balaenoptera
musculus), killer whales (Orcinus orca), minke whales (B.
acutorostrata), spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris), bottlenose
dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), and false killer whales (Pseudorca
crassidens) would also be conducted. Incidental harassment of Steller
(Eumetopias jubatus) and California sea lions (Zalophus californianus)
would also occur.
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.
Documents may be reviewed in the following locations:
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;
Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668; phone
(907) 586-7221; fax (907) 586-7249;
Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long
Beach, CA 90802-4213; phone (562) 980-4001; fax (562) 980-4018; and
Pacific Islands Region, NMFS, 1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Rm 1110,
Honolulu, HI 96814-4700; phone (808) 944-2200; fax (808) 973-2941.
Dated: April 3, 2013.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-08173 Filed 4-8-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P