[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 13 (Wednesday, January 21, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3093-3094]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-1343]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 011398B]


Marine Mammals; Scientific Research Permit (PHF# 369-1440)

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. Bruce Mate, Hatfield Marine 
Science Center, Oregon State University, 2030 South Marine Science 
Drive, Newport, OR 97365-5296, has applied in due form for a permit to 
take humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), blue, (Balaenoptera musculus), 
gray (Escrichtius robustus), northern right (Eubalaena glacialis), 
bowhead (Balaena mysticetus), fin (Balaenoptera physalus), and sperm 
whales (Physeter macrocephalus) for purposes of scientific research.

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before 
February 20, 1998.

ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for 
review upon written request or by appointment.
    Written comments or requests for a public hearing on this 
application should be mailed to the Chief, Permits and Documentation 
Division, F/PR1, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West 
Highway, Room 13822, 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.
    Comments may also be submitted by facsimile at (301) 713-0376, 
provided the facsimile is confirmed by hard copy submitted by mail and 
postmarked no later than the closing date of the comment period. Please 
note that comments will not be accepted by email or other electronic 
media.
    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 
(MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the regulations governing the taking 
and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216) and the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), the 
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of 
endangered fish and wildlife (50 CFR 222.23).
    The applicant seeks authorization to tag and collect a skin sample 
from 100 each of various large whale species in the North Pacific, 
North Atlantic, and Gulf of Mexico over a five-year period. 
Approximately 1,000 additional whales of each species may be harassed 
during these activities. In addition, the applicant wishes to conduct 
non-invasive, opportunistic research on various pinniped and cetacean 
species.
    The application and related documents are available for review

[[Page 3094]]

upon written request or by appointment in the following offices:
    Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13130, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301/
713-2289);
    Regional Administrator, Northwest Region, National Marine Fisheries 
Service, NOAA, 7600 Sand Point Way, NE, BIN C15700, Bldg. 1, Seattle, 
WA 98115-0700;
    Regional Administrator, Southwest Region, National Marine Fisheries 
Service, NOAA, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-
4213;
    Regional Administrator, Alaska Region, National Marine Fisheries 
Service, NOAA, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668;
    Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, National Marine Fisheries 
Service, NOAA, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-2298; and
    Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, National Marine Fisheries 
Service, NOAA, 9721 Executive Center Drive, North, St. Petersburg, FL 
33702-2432.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial determination has been made that 
the activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to 
prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.

    Dated: January 14, 1998.
Ann D. Terbush,
Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-1343 Filed 1-20-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P