[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 179 (Tuesday, September 16, 1997)] [Notices] [Page 48611] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-24521] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 090997D] Marine Mammals AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Issuance of scientific research permit no. 875-1401. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Dr. Christopher W. Clark, Laboratory of Ornithology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14850, has been issued a permit to ``take'' blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) and fin whales (B. physalus) for purposes of scientific research. ADDRESSES: The permit 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, Room 13130, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301/ 713-2289); and Regional Administrator, Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Boulevard, Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4213 (310/980-4001). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 17, 1997, notice was published in the Federal Register (62 FR 10259) that the above-named applicant had submitted a request for a scientific research permit to ``take'' (i.e., harass) blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) and fin whales (B. physalus) in order to study the effects on these species of low- frequency sound produced by the Navy's Surface Towed Array Surveillance System Low Frequency Active (SURTASS LFA) system. The research will be conducted in the Southern California Bight during September/October of 1997 and/or 1998. The requested permit has been issued 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 (ESA) of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), the Regulations Governing the Taking, Importing, and Exporting of Endangered Fish and Wildlife (50 CFR part 222); and the Fur Seal Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 1151-1175). Issuance of this permit, as required by the ESA, 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 ESA. Dated: September 10, 1997. Ann D. Terbush, Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 97-24521 Filed 9-15-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F