[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 191 (Friday, October 2, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 59736]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-24976]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XE061
Marine Mammals; File No. 19257
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 Ann M. Zoidis, Cetos Research
Organization, 11 Des Isle Avenue, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, has applied in
due form for a permit to conduct research on humpback whales (Megaptera
novaeangliae) and other cetacean species.
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or
before November 2, 2015.
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. 19257 from the list of available applications.
These documents are also available upon written request or by
appointment in the 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.
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: Rosa L. Gonz[aacute]lez 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 parts 222-226).
The applicant proposes to address a variety of questions regarding
population size, habitat use, and behavior of baleen and odontocete
species using passive acoustic monitoring, suction cup tagging, biopsy
sampling, underwater photography/videography, and photo ID during
vessel surveys in Hawaii and the Mariana Islands (Guam and the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands). The research would
target humpback whales as well as 25 other species of whales and
dolphins. Species may undergo all methodologies (except right whales,
which will not be tagged). Incidental harassment for all species is
also requested. Research would take place throughout the year. The
permit is requested for 5 years.
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: September 23, 2015.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-24976 Filed 10-1-15; 8:45 am]
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