[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 13 (Tuesday, January 21, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2751-2753]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-1251]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 010203C]


Marine Mammals; File Nos. 473-1700, 545-1488, 662-1661 and 1039-
1699

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Receipt of applications for new permits and permit amendments.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the following individuals/
organizations have applied in due form for a permit or permit amendment 
to take humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), killer whales 
(Orcinus orca), sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus), fin whales 
(Balaenoptera physalis), minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), 
gray

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whales (Eschrichtius robustus), Baird's beaked whales (Berardius 
bairdii), Cuvier's beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris), Stejneger's 
beaked whales (Mesoplodon stejnergeri), harbor porpoise (Phocoena 
phocoena), Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli), harbor seals (Phoca 
vitulina), Pacific white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens), 
Northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus), Steller sea lions (Eumetopias 
jubatus), false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens), pygmy killer 
whales (Feresa attenuate), pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus), 
melon-headed whales (Peponocephala electra), bottlenose dolphins 
(Tursiops truncatus), spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris), rough-
toothed dolphins (Steno bredanenis), and/or spotted dolphins (Stenella 
attenuata) for the purposes of scientific research: Janice Straley, 
Assistant Professor of Marine Biology, University of Southeast Alaska, 
1332 Seward Avenue, Sitka, AK 99835-9498, (PI: Jan Straley); North Gulf 
Oceanic Society, 60920 Mary Allen Avenue, Homer, AK 99603, (PI: Craig 
Matkin); Ms. Dena Matkin, Box 22, Gustavus, AK 99826, (PI: Dena 
Matkin); and Ms. Ann Zoidis, Marine Mammal Biologist, Allied Whale, 11 
Des Isle Ave., PO Box 885, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, (PI: Ann Zoidis).

ADDRESSES: The permit applications, amendment requests 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, (301)713-2289, (all applications);
    Protected Species Coordinator, Pacific Area Office, NMFS, 1601 
Kapiolani Blvd., Rm, 1110, Honolulu, HI 96814-4700; phone (808)973-
2935; fax (808)973-2941, (file no. 1039-1699 only); and
    Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668, 
(907)586-7221 (file nos. 473-1700, 545-1488 and 662-1661 only).

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permits and amendments are 
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.), the regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting 
of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR 222-226), and the Fur Seal 
Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).
    Janice Straley (file no. 473-1700) requests a five-year scientific 
research permit to collect long term population data on humpback 
whales, predation data on killer whales and longline fishing gear 
depredation by sperm whales. The permit applicant requests takes by 
close approach for: (1) photo-identification, behavioral observation, 
biopsy sampling, suction cup tagging for CRITTERCAM and incidental 
harassment of sperm whales; (2) photo-identification, behavioral 
observation, biopsy sampling, collection of dead parts following killer 
whale predation events and incidental harassment of humpback whales, 
gray whales, minke whales and fin whales; (3) photo-identification, 
behavioral observation, biopsy sampling and incidental harassment of 
killer whales; and (4) collection of dead parts following killer whale 
predation events of additional species of harbor porpoise, Dall's 
porpoise, Pacific white-sided dolphin, Northern fur seal, Steller sea 
lion and harbor seal. All research will take place in Alaska waters. 
This is a continuation of studies authorized under Permit No. 473-1433-
04.
    The North Gulf Oceanic Society (PI: Craig Matkin) is requesting an 
amendment to Permit No. 545-1488-01 which authorizes the take by close 
approach for photo-identification, behavioral observation and 
incidental harassment of killer whales for the purposes of population 
analyses and predation studies. This permit also authorizes the 
collection of dead parts available after killer whale predation events 
from the following species: Steller sea lion, humpback whale, minke 
whale, gray whale, harbor porpoise, Dall's porpoise, harbor seal, 
Pacific white-sided dolphin and Northern fur seal. Research activities 
take place in Alaska waters, and the permit expires on March 31, 2004.
    The permit amendment request (file no. 545-1488) would add the 
deployment by close approach of short-term radio, satellite, acoustic 
recording, and underwater video tags and biopsy sampling on the 
following species: killer whale, gray whale, harbor porpoise, Dall's 
porpoise, Pacific white-sided dolphin, Baird's beaked whale, Cuvier's 
beaked whale and Stejneger's beaked whales. The purpose of the 
amendment, as noted in the application, is to examine diving behavior, 
feeding, and movements of whales and to obtain information on elusive 
and rarely studied species.
    Dena Matkin (file no. 662-1661) requests a five-year scientific 
research permit to continue long-term population and predation studies 
of killer whales and opportunistic population studies of humpback 
whales in Alaska waters by close approach for photo-identification and 
behavioral observation. The applicant also requests authorization to 
continue collecting dead parts following killer whale predation events 
from the following species: Steller sea lion, humpback whale, minke 
whale, gray whale, harbor porpoise, Dall's porpoise, harbor seal, 
Pacific white-sided dolphin and Northern fur seal. This research has 
been previously authorized under Permit No. 662-1345 which expires on 
May 31, 2003.
    Ann Zoidis (file no. 1039-1700) requests a five-year scientific 
research permit to study social sound production in humpback whales in 
the waters of Kauai, Maui and the Big Island, Hawaii. The applicant 
requests takes of humpback whales by close approach for photo-
identification and behavioral observation (above and below water), 
underwater passive acoustic recordings and incidental harassment. 
During these humpback whale studies, the applicant also requests take 
authorizations for underwater passive acoustic recordings and 
incidental harassment of the following species: false killer whale, 
pygmy killer whale, pilot whale, melon-headed whale, bottlenose 
dolphin, spinner dolphin, rough-toothed dolphin, and spotted dolphin.
    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 activities proposed are categorically excluded from the requirement 
to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact 
statement.
    Written comments or requests for a public hearing on these 
applications 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

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application to the Marine Mammal Commission and its Committee of 
Scientific Advisors.

    Dated: January 13, 2003.
Stephen L. Leathery,
 Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 03-1251 Filed 1-17-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S