[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 119 (Friday, June 20, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 33604]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-16204]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 061197A]


Marine Mammals; Permit No. 987 (P598)

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

ACTION: Scientific research permit amendment.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that a request for amendment of 
scientific research permit No. 987 submitted by Dr. Jim Darling, P.O. 
Box 384, Tofino, British Columbia, Canada VOR 2ZO, 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);
    Regional Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, 
Juneau, AK 99802-1668 (907/586-7221); and
    Protected Species Program Manager, Pacific Area Office, NMFS, 2570 
Dole Street, Room 106, Honolulu, Hi 96822-2396 (808/973-2987).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 30, 1997, notice was published in 
the Federal Register (62 FR 23435) that an amendment of permit No. 987, 
issued March 1, 1996 (61 FR 9438), 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 Secs. 216.33(d) and (e) of the 
Regulations Governing the Taking and Importing of Marine Mammals (50 
CFR part 216), and the Endangered Species Act (ESA) 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 part 
222).
    Permit No. 987 authorizes the permit holder to take (i.e., harass) 
up to 200 humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the course of 
behavioral and photo-identification studies and biopsy sampling, in the 
waters around the main Hawaiian Islands over a 2-year period. The 
permit has been amended to authorize: the observation of up to 200 
humpback whales annually in Hawaii and Alaska waters by the use of 
remote cameras to (1) observe the activities of individual whales, and 
(2) to determine if images can be obtained that will allow the length 
measurement of specific whales; and the observation of up to 1000 
humpback whales annually in Hawaii and Alaska waters through fixed wing 
and helicopter flights to measure the length of whales through 
photogrammetry for the purpose of age estimation and to observe (video/
film) behavior patterns.
    We believe that this amended Permit: (1) Was applied for in good 
faith; (2) will not operate to the disadvantage of the endangered 
species, which is the subject of the request; and (3) is consistent 
with the purposes and policies set forth in Section 2 of the ESA. We do 
not anticipate any adverse impacts to the affected population or the 
ecosystem as a result of the activities for which approval would be 
granted.

    Dated: June 13, 1997.
Ann D. Terbush,
Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 97-16204 Filed 6-19-97; 8:45 am]
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