[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 228 (Monday, November 25, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59863-59864]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-29983]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 111496A]


Marine Mammals; Scientific Research Permit (P623)

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Receipt of application.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Dr. D. Ann Pabst, University of 
North Carolina Wilmington, Biological Sciences, 601 South College Road, 
Wilmington, NC 28403-3297, has applied in due form for a permit to take 
humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), North Atlantic right whales 
(Eubalaena glacialis), fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), Atlantic 
bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), harbor porpoise (Phocoena 
phocoena), beaked whales (Mesplodon sp.), and pelagic dolphins 
(Stenella sp.) for purposes of scientific research.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before December 26, 
1996.

ADDRESSES: The application 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);
    Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, One Blackburn 
Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-2298 (508/281-9250); and
    Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, NMFS, 9721 Executive 
Center Drive North, St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2432 (813/893-3141).
    Written data or views, or requests for a public hearing on this 
request, should be submitted to the Director, Office of Protected 
Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-

[[Page 59864]]

 West Highway, Room 13130, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Those individuals 
requesting a hearing should set forth the specific reasons why a 
hearing on this particular request would be appropriate.
    Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal 
Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of this application to the Marine 
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is requested under the 
authority of 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 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and the regulations 
governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered fish and 
wildlife (50 CFR 222.23). The applicant seeks authorization to harass 
during photo-identification studies and aerial and vessel surveys, up 
to 1,200 humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) annually over a 5-
year period. In addition, the following non-target species may be 
harassed during the course of the research: North Atlantic right whales 
(Eubalaena glacialis), fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), Atlantic 
bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), harbor porpoise (Phocoena 
phocoena), beaked whales (Mesplodon sp.), and pelagic dolphins 
(Stenella sp.).

    Dated: November 14, 1996.
Ann D. Terbush,
Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 96-29983 Filed 11-22-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F