[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 115 (Thursday, June 16, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35064-35065]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-11836]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 060605A]


Marine Mammals; File No. 1071-1770

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

ACTION: Issuance of permit.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Dolphin Institute, 420 Ward 
Avenue, Suite 212, Honolulu, HI 96814 (Principal Investigator: Adam 
Pack, Ph.D.) has been issued a permit to conduct scientific research.

ADDRESSES: The permit and related documents are available for review 
upon written request or by appointment (see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carrie Hubard or Ruth Johnson, (301) 
713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 17, 2005, notice was published 
in the Federal Register (70 FR 8076) that a request for a scientific 
research permit to take marine mammals had been submitted by the above-
named organization. The requested permit has been issued under the 
authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 
U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) and the Regulations Governing the Taking and 
Importing of Marine Mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    Permit No. 1071-1770-00 authorizes the Holder to study non-listed 
cetaceans in the Eastern, Western, and Central North Pacific Ocean. 
Studies include: (1) Photo-identification of individuals to determine 
individual life histories, social role, migration, habitat use, 
distribution, and reproductive status; (2) underwater videogrammetry to 
determine the sizes of animals; (3) underwater videography to document 
behaviors and aid in sex determination; and (4) passive acoustic 
recordings. Research will take place in waters off the main Hawaiian 
Islands (primary study area) and along the rim of the North Pacific 
from California northward to Southeast Alaska and then westward through 
the Gulf of Alaska, Aleutian Islands, and regions of the upper western 
Pacific. Research will also take place in Japanese waters off the 
Mariana, Bonin (Ogasawara), and Ryukyuan islands. The Holder also 
requested takes of large whale species, including humpback whales 
(Megaptera novaeangliae). However, a decision has not yet been made on 
the proposed research involving threatened and endangered species. The 
current permit only includes level B harassment of non-threatened and 
endangered species. The permit will be valid for five years.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), a final determination has been made that the 
activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to 
prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.
    Documents may be reviewed at any of the following locations:
    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;
    Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., BIN C15700, Bldg. 
1, Seattle, WA 98115-0700; phone (206) 526-6150; fax (206) 526-6426;
    Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668; phone 
(907) 586-7221; fax (907) 586-7249;
    Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long 
Beach, CA 90802-4213; phone (562)980-4001; fax (562) 980-4018; or
    Pacific Islands Region, NMFS, 1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Rm 1110, 
Honolulu, HI 96814-4700; phone (808) 973-2935; fax (808) 973-2941.


[[Page 35065]]


    Dated: June 9, 2005.
Stephen L. Leathery,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 05-11836 Filed 6-15-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S