[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 106 (Monday, June 3, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 38262]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-13855]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 052102C]


Marine Mammals; File No. 1029-1675

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 Andrew R. Szabo,Whale Research 
Lab, Department of Geography, University of Victoria, Victoria, British 
Columbia, V8W 2Y2, Canada, has applied in due form for a permit to take 
humpback whales (Megaptera Novaeangliea) for purposes of scientific 
research.

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before July 
3, 2002.

ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for 
review upon written request or by appointment in the following 
office(s):
    Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 
20910; phone (301) 713-2289; fax (301) 713-0376; and
    Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668; phone 
(907) 586-7221; fax (907) 586-7249.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lynne Barre or Jill Lewandowski, (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.), the Regulations Governing the Taking 
and Importing of Marine Mammals (50 CFR part 216), the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and the 
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of 
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR 222-226).
    The objective of the study is to examine the behavior of humpback 
whale mother/calf pairs on their summer feeding grounds and compare the 
maternal behavior of solitary and social foragers. The study will also 
attempt to identify differences in the early behavior of the mother/
calf pairs that may lead to the adoption of a particular foraging 
strategy in juveniles. A total of 250 humpbacks from all age classes 
will be approached annually for photo-identification, hydrophone 
recordings and video taping of behavior. Research activities will be 
conducted in southeastern Alaska through October 15, 2006.
    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, Conservation and 
Education 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: May 23, 2002.
Trevor R. Spradlin,
Acting Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 02-13855 Filed 5-31-02; 8:45 am]
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