[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 138 (Friday, July 18, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42689-42690]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-18340]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 070903A]


Marine Mammals; File No. 1049-1718

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

ACTION: Receipt of application for new permit.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Kate M. Wynne, University of 
Alaska Fairbanks, School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, 118 Trident 
Way, Kodiak, Alaska 99615 has applied in due form for a permit to take 
humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), killer whales (Orcinus orca), 
sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus), fin whales (Balaenoptera 
physalis), sei whales (Balaenoptera borealis), minke whales 
(Balaenoptera acutorostrata), gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus), 
harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides 
dalli), harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), Pacific white-sided dolphins 
(Lagenorhynchus obliquidens), Northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus), 
and Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) for the purposes of 
scientific research.

ADDRESSES: The permit 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, (301)713-2289; and
    Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668, 
(907)586-7221.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jill Lewandowski or Gene Nitta, (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.), 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.).
    The applicant requests a five-year scientific research permit to: 
(1) develop long term sighting histories of individual humpback whales 
to assess stock structure, life history parameters, feeding behaviors, 
social behaviors of feeding populations, and population estimates; (2) 
collect and compare data on killer whale predation in southeastern 
Alaska, the Gulf of Alaska and Aleutian Islands; and (3) collect data 
to assess the distribution, abundance, and foraging ecology of fin 
whales in the Gulf of Alaska. All research will take place in Alaskan 
waters.
    Specifically, the applicant is requesting takes by close approach 
for photo-identification, behavioral observation, passive acoustic 
recording, biopsy sampling and incidental harassment. In addition, the 
applicant is requesting authorization to collect and/or export dead 
parts from the following prey species during killer whale predation 
studies: humpback, gray, minke, sei, fin and sperm whales; harbor and 
Dall's porpoise; Pacific white-sided dolphins; Northern fur and harbor 
seals; and Steller sea lions.

[[Page 42690]]

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

    Dated: July 14, 2003.
Stephen L. Leathery,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 03-18340 Filed 7-17-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S