[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 44 (Monday, March 7, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-5111]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 7, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
[I.D. 022494B]

 

Marine Mammals

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), NOAA, Commerce.

ACTION: Issuance of emergency permit No. 890 (P46B).

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that The New England Aquarium, Central 
Wharf, Boston, MA 02110-3399 has been issued a permit to take up to 2 
right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) for purposes of enhancing the 
survival or recovery of the species.

ADDRESSES: The permit and related documents are available for review 
upon written request or by appointment, in the following office(s):

Permits Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West 
Highway, room 13130, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301/713-2289);
Director, Northeast Region, NMFS, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 
01930 (508/281-9200); and
Director, Southeast Region, NMFS, 9450 Koger Boulevard, St. Petersburg, 
FL 33702 (813/893-3141).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 25, 1994, the NMFS issued an 
emergency permit pursuant to sections 10(a)(1)(A) and 10(c) of the 
Endangered Species Act to authorize the permit holder to attach a radio 
tag by suction cup to one sick or injured right whale calf (Eubalaena 
glacialis) or its mother, in order to monitor their movements and 
progress. In accordance with 50 CFR 222.24(e), the Director, Office of 
Protected Resources, waived the standard 30-day comment period due to 
the emergency nature of the request. The Marine Mammal Commission 
reviewed the permit application and recommended that the emergency 
permit be issued.
    On Tuesday, February 22, 1994, the New England Aquarium aerial 
survey team observed a right whale mother and calf 10 miles off the 
coast near Jacksonville, Florida. The aerial team reported that the 
calf's tail flukes were curled and limp, and completely white, probably 
from the loss of all skin and due to loss of circulation. There were no 
obvious causes, but the tail stock area was difficult to assess from 
the airplane. On Wednesday, February 23, 1994, the New England Aquarium 
requested a permit to attach a radio tag by suction cup to the calf or 
its mother, in order to monitor their movements and progress. Because 
the right whale population is currently at such critically low levels 
that the survival of every individual could be important to the 
survival of the population as a whole, and due to the time-critical 
nature of the request, the National Marine Fisheries Service issued an 
emergency permit pursuant to sections 10(a)(1)(A) and 10(c) of the 
Endangered Species Act to authorize the requested activities.
    Issuance of this permit as required by the Endangered Species Act 
of 1973 was based on a finding that such permit: (1) Was applied for in 
good faith; (2) will not operate to the disadvantage of the endangered 
species which is the subject of this permit; and (3) is consistent with 
the purposes and policies set forth in Section 2 of the Endangered 
Species Act.

    Dated: February 25, 1994.
William W. Fox, Jr., Ph.D.,
Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries 
Services.
[FR Doc. 94-5111 Filed 3-4-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P