[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 21 (Friday, January 31, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Page 5382]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-01906]



[[Page 5382]]

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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; issuance of permit.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that a permit has been issued to Rachel 
Cartwright, Keiki Kohola Project, 761 Coronado Place, Oxnard, CA 93035 
to conduct research on humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae).

ADDRESSES: The permit and related documents are available for review 
upon written request or by appointment in the following offices: See 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kristy Beard or Carrie Hubard, 
(301)427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 9, 2013, notice was published in 
the Federal Register (78 FR 21113) that a request for a permit to 
conduct research on the species identified above had been submitted by 
the above-named applicant. The requested permit has been issued under 
the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended 
(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 permit authorizes 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 will 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 will 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. 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. 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) may also be conducted. Incidental harassment of Steller 
(Eumetopias jubatus) and California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) 
would also occur. The permit is valid for five years from the date of 
issuance.
    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 
activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to 
prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.
    As required by the ESA, issuance of this permit was based on a 
finding that such permit: (1) Was applied for in good faith; (2) will 
not operate to the disadvantage of such endangered species; and (3) is 
consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the 
ESA.
    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;
    West Coast Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long 
Beach, CA 90802-4213; phone (562)980-4005; fax (562)980-4027; and
    Pacific Islands Region, NMFS, 1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Rm 1110, 
Honolulu, HI 96814-4700; phone (808)944-2200; fax (808)973-2941.

     Dated: January 27, 2014.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-01906 Filed 1-30-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P