[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 82 (Friday, April 29, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22299-22300]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-8604]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 041905A]


Marine Mammals; File Nos. 1036-1744, 594-1759, and 633-1763

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

ACTION: Issuance of permits.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the following individuals and 
institutions have been issued permits to conduct research on northern 
right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) and other marine mammals in the 
North Atlantic: Robert DiGiovanni, Riverhead Foundation for Marine 
Research and Preservation, 467 East Main Street, Riverhead, New York 
11901 (File No. 1036-1744); the Georgia Department of Natural 
Resources, Wildlife Resources Division, Nongame-Endangered Wildlife 
Program, Coastal Office, Brunswick, GA (File No. 594-1759); and the 
Center for Coastal Studies, Provincetown, MA (File No. 633-1763).

ADDRESSES: The permit 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)427-2521;
    Northeast Region, NMFS, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-
2298; phone (978)281-9200; fax (978)281-9371; and
    Southeast Region, NMFS, 9721 Executive Center Drive North, St. 
Petersburg, FL 33702-2432; phone (727)570-5301; fax (727)570-5320.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carrie Hubard or Dr. Tammy Adams, 
(301)713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 7, 2004, notice was published in 
the Federal Register (69 FR 18357) that a request for a scientific 
research permit to take marine mammals in the North Atlantic had been 
submitted by Robert DiGiovanni, Riverhead Foundation for Marine 
Research and Preservation. On February 24, 2005 notice was published in 
the Federal Register (70 FR 9049) that requests for scientific research 
permits to take right whales in the North Atlantic had been submitted 
by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the Center for 
Coastal Studies. The requested permits have been issued 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 (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and the 
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of 
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226).
    The permits authorize harassment of marine mammals during close

[[Page 22300]]

approaches for aerial and vessel surveys with associated photo-
identification and behavioral observations. Permit No. 1036-1744 
authorizes harassment of various cetacean and pinniped species in 
waters off Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, 
Maryland, and Virginia. Permit No. 594-1759 authorizes harassment of 
northern right whales in waters off Virginia, North Carolina, South 
Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Alabama. Permit No. 633-1763 authorizes 
harassment of northern right whales in the Gulf of Maine, Cape Cod Bay, 
Great South Channel, and Georgia Bight, and the collection and export 
of sloughed right whale skin.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an environmental assessment was prepared 
analyzing the effects of the permitted activities. After a Finding of 
No Significant Impact, the determination was made that it was not 
necessary to prepare an environmental impact statement.
    Issuance of these permits, as required by the ESA, was based on a 
finding that such permits: (1) Were applied for in good faith; (2) will 
not operate to the disadvantage of such endangered species; and (3) are 
consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the 
ESA.

    Dated: April 21, 2005.
Stephen L. Leathery,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 05-8604 Filed 4-28-05; 8:45 am]
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