[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 71 (Thursday, April 12, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18904-18905]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-9103]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 040501E]


Marine Mammals; File No. 1000-1617

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 Whitlow Au, Ph.D., University of 
Hawaii, Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, Marine Mammal Research 
Program, PO Box 1106, Kailua, Hawaii 96734, has applied in due form for 
a permit to take several species of small cetaceans for scientific 
research off the coasts of Hawaii and California and in international 
waters.

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before May 
14, 2001.

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 13130, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301) 
713-2289;
    Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long 
Beach, CA 90802-4213; phone (562) 980-4001; fax (562) 980-4018; and
    Pacific Islands Area Office, NMFS, 2570 Dole Street, Room 106, 
Honolulu,

[[Page 18905]]

HI 96822-2396; phone (808) 943-1221; fax (808) 943-1240.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lynne Barre or Trevor Spradlin, (301) 
713-2289.

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.) and the Regulations Governing the Taking 
and Importing of Marine Mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    The overall objective of the proposed research is to determine 
aspects of the population dynamics and behavior of small cetaceans 
around Hawaii and California, focusing on the spinner dolphin (Stenella 
longirostris) as a model. The applicant is requesting authorization for 
genetic sampling and suction-cup tagging to investigate population 
structure, genetic variability, dispersal patterns, social structure, 
foraging behavior, and diving behavior. Tissue samples for genetic 
analyses will be obtained by skin-swabbing techniques, or if this 
technique does not yield sufficient amounts of DNA, by biopsy sampling. 
The applicant is also requesting authorization to conduct behavioral 
observations and photo identification to supplement genetic and tagging 
data. The permit is requested for five years.
    The applicant is requesting authorization to take spinner dolphins 
(Stenella longirostris) both in the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP) and 
in other Pacific waters. For the ETP, the applicant is requesting the 
following number of animals to be taken annually: 300 for behavioral 
observations and photo identification; 3 for suction cup tagging; and 
50 for tissue sampling. The applicant also requests annual takes of 300 
animals incidental to suction tagging, 300 animals incidental to tissue 
sampling and 300 animals incidental to behavioral observations and 
photo identification.
    Outside the ETP, the applicant is requesting the following number 
of spinner dolphins to be taken annually: 2000 for behavioral 
observations and photo identification; 15 for suction cup tagging; and 
150 for tissue sampling. The applicant also requests annual takes of 
400 animals incidental to suction tagging, 1000 animals incidental to 
tissue sampling and an unlimited number of animals incidental to 
behavioral observations and photo identification.
    The applicant is also requesting authorization to take the 
following species of small cetaceans: short-finned pilot whale 
(Globicephala macrorhynchus), melon-headed whale (Peponocephala 
electra), false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens), pygmy killer whale 
(Feresa attenuata), pantropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata), 
striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), short-beaked common dolphin 
(Delphinus delphis), Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus), rough-toothed 
dolphin (Steno bredanensis), bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops spp.), 
Pacific white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens), dwarf sperm 
whale (Kogia simus), and pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps).
    For each species listed above, the applicant is requesting the 
following number of animals to be taken annually: 300 for behavioral 
observations and photo identification; 3 for suction cup tagging; and 
50 for tissue sampling. The applicant also requests annual takes of 400 
animals incidental to suction tagging, 1000 animals incidental to 
tissue sampling and an unlimited number of animals incidental to 
behavioral observations and photo identification.
    The applicant is currently conducting bioacoustic and behavioral 
research on spinner dolphins, spotted dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, 
pilot whales and rough-toothed dolphins pursuant to General 
Authorization Letter of Confirmation No. 707-1478, and has requested 
that these activities be incorporated into the requested permit if 
issued.
    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.
    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 13705, 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 e-mail or by 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.

    Dated: April 6, 2001.
Ann D. Terbush,
Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 01-9103 Filed 4-11-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S