[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 131 (Monday, July 9, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 31737]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-14676]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XG313
Marine Mammals; File No. 21585
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 Oregon State University, Marine
Mammal Institute, 2030 Southeast Marine Science Drive, Newport, OR
97365 (Responsible Party: Bruce Mate, Ph.D.), has applied in due form
for a permit to conduct research on 67 species of marine mammals.
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or
before August 8, 2018.
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. 21585 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 File No. 21585 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: Shasta McClenahan or Amy Hapeman,
(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.), the
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226), and the Fur
Seal Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).
The applicant requests a five-year research permit to: (1)
Characterize the spatial and temporal distribution of cetaceans
throughout their range, (2) identify migration routes, home ranges,
habitats, and core areas of use, (3) characterize foraging behavior,
(4) characterize ecological relationships to help explain movement
patterns, and (5) opportunistically study pinnipeds encountered during
cetacean studies to contribute knowledge of the species and document
health concerns including human interactions. Research may occur in
U.S. and international waters world-wide. Up to 67 species of marine
mammals may be targeted including the following endangered or
threatened species and stocks of cetaceans: Blue (Balaenoptera
musculus), bowhead (Balaena mysticetes), Cook Inlet beluga
(Delphinapterus leucas), fin (B. physalus), gray (Eschrichtius
robustus), humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), Main Hawaiian Islands
insular false killer (Pseudorca crassidens), North Pacific right
(Eubalaena japonica), sei (B. borealis), Southern Resident killer
(Orcinus orca), Southern right (E. australis), and sperm (Physeter
macrocephalus) whales. Targeted cetaceans may be taken during vessel
and manned aerial surveys for observation, photography, passive
acoustic recording, echosounders for prey mapping, biological sampling
(sloughed skin or skin and blubber biopsy), and fully-implantable
tagging. See the application for complete numbers of animals requested
by species and procedure.
The following endangered or threatened species of pinnipeds may be
harassed and opportunistically observed and photographed during
surveys: Western Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus), and bearded
(Erignathus barbatus), Guadalupe fur (Arctocephalus townsendi),
Hawaiian monk (Neomonachus schauinslandi), ringed (Phoca hispida) and
spotted (P. largha) seals.
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: July 3, 2018.
Julia Marie Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-14676 Filed 7-6-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P