[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 90 (Monday, May 11, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 25834]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-12416]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 050598B]


Marine Mammals

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 Mr. Fred Sharpe, Behavioral 
Ecology Research Group, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British 
Columbia, V5A 1S6, Canada, has applied in due form for a permit to take 
North Pacific humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) and killer 
whales (Orcinus orca) for purposes of scientific research.

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before June 
10, 1998.

ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for 
review upon written request or by appointment in the following 
office(s):
    Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301/
713-2289); and Regional Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 
21668, Juneau, AK 99801 (907/586-7221).
    Written comments or requests for a public hearing on this request 
should be submitted to the Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, 
F/PR1, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-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 amendment 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 e-mail or other electronic 
media.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Jeannie Drevenak, 301/713-2289.

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.), the regulations 
governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered fish and 
wildlife (50 CFR 222.23).
    The purpose of the proposed research is to: examine the behavior, 
social structure and foraging ecology of North Pacific humpback whales 
through passive observation (photo-identification, hydrophone 
recordings, video recording), side-scan sonar, playbacks of humpback 
whale sounds, and suction cup tagging with ``critter cam'' dive tags; 
and obtain opportunistic photo-identification images and recordings of 
killer whales. Up to 390 humpback whales may be harassed annually 
during these activities (only 18 of this number may be suction cup 
tagged annually). Up to 300 killer whales may be harassed annually 
during photo-identification studies. Research activities will be 
conducted over a five-year period in southeast Alaska waters.
    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.
    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.

    Dated: May 6, 1998.
Ann D. Terbush,
Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-12416 Filed 5-8-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F