[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 224 (Monday, November 21, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 83204-83205]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-27860]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XA774, 0648-XA806, and 0648-XE766
Marine Mammals and Endangered Species; File Nos. 13927, 16553,
and 20532
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; issuance of permits.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that permits or permit amendments have
been issued to the following entities:
Permit No. 13927-03: James H.W. Hain, Ph.D., Associated Scientists
at Woods Hole, Box 721, Woods Hole, MA 02543;
Permit No. 16553-01: Brent Stewart, Ph.D., J.D., Hubbs SeaWorld
Research Institute, 2595 Ingraham Street, San Diego, CA 92109; and
Permit No. 20532: Stephen John Trumble, Ph.D., Baylor University,
101 Bagby Ave., Waco, TX 76706.
ADDRESSES: The permits and related documents are available for review
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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carrie Hubard (File Nos. 13927-03,
16553-01) and Shasta McClenahan or Jennifer Skidmore (File No. 20532)
at (301) 427-8401.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Requests for a permit or permit amendment
had been submitted by the above-named applicants. The requested permits
have been issued under 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), as
applicable.
Permit No. 13927-03: The original permit (No. 13927), issued on
October 19, 2011 (76 FR 67151, October 31, 2016) authorized Dr. Hain to
conduct aerial and vessel surveys to study North Atlantic right whales
(Eubalaena glacialis). Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae),
bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and Atlantic spotted dolphins
(Stenella frontalis) may be incidentally harassed. Research may occur
annually, December through April off the U.S. southeast coast. Two
subsequent amendments (13927-01 issued January 13, 2013 and 13927-02
issued December 1, 2015) increased the number of North Atlantic right
whale takes and added unmanned aircraft systems, respectively. The
minor amendment (No. 13927-03) extends the duration of the permit
through October 31, 2017, but does not change any other terms or
conditions of the permit.
Permit No. 16553-01: The original permit (No. 16553), issued on
October
[[Page 83205]]
24, 2011 (76 FR 68719, November 7, 2011) authorized Dr. Stewart to
continue a long term study on pinnipeds in California. California sea
lions (Zalophus californianus), northern elephant seals (Mirounga
angustirostris), and harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) may be captured and
sampled at several sites: San Nicolas Island, San Miguel Island, Santa
Rosa Island, Santa Cruz Island, Piedras Blancas, Cape San Martin, and
Gorda. The minor amendment (No. 16553-01) extends the duration of the
permit through October 31, 2017, but does not change any other terms or
conditions of the permit.
Permit No. 20532: The requested permit (81 FR 59190, August 29,
2016) authorizes receipt, import, and export of biological samples from
museum holdings and stranded animals worldwide for scientific research
to chronologically profile anthropogenic and physiological data
including hormones and pesticides to record exposure and stress.
Samples will be from blue (Balaenoptera musculus), gray (Eschrichtius
robustus), fin (B. physalus), minke (B. acutorostrata), bowhead
(Balaena mysticetus), humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), and sperm
whales (Physeter macrocephalus). Samples may also be obtained from
subsistence hunted bowhead whales in Alaska. The permit is valid
through November 1, 2021.
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
activities proposed are categorically excluded from the requirement to
prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.
As required by the ESA, as applicable, issuance of these permits
was based on a finding that such permits: (1) Were applied for in good
faith; (2) will not operate to the disadvantage of such endangered
species; and (3) are consistent with the purposes and policies set
forth in section 2 of the ESA.
Dated: November 15, 2016.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-27860 Filed 11-18-16; 8:45 am]
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