[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 135 (Friday, July 12, 1996)] [Notices] [Pages 36713-36714] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-17760] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE [I.D. 070196G] Marine Mammals; Permit No. 928 (P351E) AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Scientific research permit amendment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that a request for amendment of scientific research permit no. 928 submitted by Ms. Olga von Ziegesar, North Gulf Oceanic Society, P.O. Box 15244, Homer, AK 99603, has been granted. ADDRESSES: The amendment and related documents are available for review upon written request or by appointment in the following offices: Permits Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Suite 13130, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301/713-2289); and Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668 (907/586-7221). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 20, 1996, notice was published in the Federal Register (61 FR 25210) that an amendment of permit no. 928, issued July 18, 1994 (59 FR 37745), had been requested by the above- named individual. The requested amendment has been granted under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the provisions of Sec. 216.39 of 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 provisions of Sec. 222.25 of the Regulations Governing the Taking, Importing, and Exporting of Endangered Fish and Wildlife (50 CFR part 222). Permit no. 928 authorizes the harassment of up to 100 humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) annually during repeated approaches for photo-identification studies in Prince William Sound and in the area from the Copper River Delta to Kachemak Bay, Alaska. Amendment No. 1 to permit no. 928 authorizes the harassment of up to 400 humpback whales per year during photo-identification studies, of which up to 100 whales may be biopsy sampled over a four year period; export of the biopsy samples collected; and expansion of the research area to include all Alaskan waters. Issuance of this Permit as required by the ESA of 1973 was based on a finding that the 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 ESA. [[Page 36714]] Dated: July 2, 1996. Ann Hochman, Acting Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 96-17760 Filed 7-11-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P