[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 143 (Friday, July 25, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43400-43401]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-17525]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XC588


Marine Mammals; File No. 17344

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that a permit has been issued to Samuel 
Wasser, Ph.D., University of Washington, Department of Biology, P.O. 
Box 351800, Seattle, WA 98195 to conduct research on killer whales 
(Orcinus orca).

ADDRESSES: The permit and related documents are available for review 
upon written request or by appointment in 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Courtney Smith or Jennifer Skidmore, 
(301) 427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 10, 2013, notice was published in 
the Federal Register (78 FR 21347) that a request for a permit to 
conduct research on killer whales 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.), the regulations governing the 
taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species 
(50 CFR parts 222-226).
    The permit authorizes research on killer whales of the endangered 
Eastern North Pacific Southern Resident stock in waters of Washington, 
including the San Juan Islands and Puget Sound. The objective of the 
research is to use noninvasive physiological and genetic measures to 
examine the impacts of the three major threats to this stock: (1) 
Reduced prey ability; (2) excessive exposures to environmental 
contaminants; and (3) disturbance from private and commercial vessel 
traffic. The primary research method is the collection of opportunistic 
fecal samples, which would be scooped from the water column and then 
analyzed for genetics, hormones, and contaminants. Each year, the 
entire population of Southern Resident killer whales (currently 
estimated at 80 individuals) would be approached up to six times for 
photo-identification and fecal sampling. Fifteen killer whales of the 
Eastern North Pacific transient stock may also be approached annually 
for the same activities. The permit would be valid for five years.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42

[[Page 43401]]

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.

     Dated: July 21, 2014.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-17525 Filed 7-24-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P