[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 123 (Tuesday, June 28, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37090-37091]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-12756]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 051005C]


Marine Mammals; Files No. 369-1757-00 and 522-1785-00

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 Bruce R. Mate, Ph.D., Holder/
Principal Investigator, Oregon State University, Hatfield Marine 
Science Center, 2030 SE Marine Science Drive, Newport, OR 97365, and 
Randall S. Wells, Ph.D., Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, c/o Mote 
Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236, have 
each been issued a permit to take marine mammals for scientific 
research.

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

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 3, 2004 (69 FR 46521) and March 
21, 2005 (70 FR 13481), notice was published in the Federal Register 
that a request for a scientific research permit to take marine mammals 
had been submitted by the above-named individuals. 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).
    Permit 369-1757-00 authorizes the Holder to approach and harass 
during tagging/biopsy sampling activities, up to 25 of the following 
species per stock not to exceed 50 of each species within a year: 
humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), blue whales (Balaenoptera 
musculus), fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), gray whales 
(Eschrichtius robustus), southern right whales (Eubalaena australis), 
bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus), and sperm whales (Physeter 
macrocephalus) in U.S. and foreign waters of the North Atlantic 
(including Gulf of Mexico), North Pacific (including Hawaii), Arctic 
and Indian Oceans, Beaufort, Bering and Chukchi Seas, and international 
waters of the Mediteranean Sea annually for five years. Up to 200 of 
each species may be incidentally harassed annually. Some whales will be 
tagged twice. After tagging, whales will be approached for photo-
identification, behavioral observation and assessment of possible tag 
effects. North Pacific right whales and North Atlantic right whales are 
not authorized in this permit. The permit also authorizes opportunistic 
tagging of up to 100 killer whales (Orcinus orca) over a five-year 
period not to exceed 20 in a single year. Southern resident killer 
whales are not authorized in this permit. Additionally, the permit 
allows non-invasive Level B harassment (photo-identification and 
behavioral observation) of other non-target non-listed marine mammal 
species encountered during tagging activities, and import/export of 
biopsy specimens

[[Page 37091]]

and baleen from beach-cast whales. These samples may be imported/
exported on a worldwide basis.
    Permit 522-1785-00 authorizes the Holder to capture 120 individual 
bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and examine, sample, mark, tag 
and release in the shallow coastal waters of central west Florida and 
photo-id and biopsy sample of 500 dolphins over a five-year period. 
Observational studies of population structure, population dynamics, 
life history, social structure, genetic structure including paternity 
patterns, and human interactions are being conducted. 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 this permit, as required by the ESA, was based on a 
finding that such permit: (1) was applied for in good faith; (2) will 
not operate to the disadvantage of such endangered species; and (3) is 
consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the 
ESA.
    Documents are available and may be reviewed in the following 
locations:
    All permits: 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;
    File 369-1757-00: Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, 
BIN C15700, Bldg. 1, Seattle, WA 98115-0700; phone (206)526-6150; fax 
(206)526-6426;
    File 369-1757-00: Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 
99802-1668; phone (907)586-7221; fax (907)586-7249;
    File 369-1757-00: Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., 
Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4213; phone (562)980-4001; fax 
(562)980-4018;
    File 369-1757-00: Pacific Islands Regional Office, NMFS, 2570 Dole 
Street, Room 106, Honolulu, HI 96822-2396; phone (808)943-1221; fax 
(808)943-1240;
    File 369-1757-00: Northeast Region, NMFS, One Blackburn Drive, 
Gloucester, MA 01930-2298; phone (508)281-9250; fax (508)281-9371; and
    File 369-1757-00 and 522-1785-00: Southeast Region, NMFS, 9721 
Executive Center Drive North, St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2432; phone 
(727)570-5301; fax (727)570-5300.

    Dated: May 30, 2005.
Stephen L. Leathery,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 05-12756 Filed 6-27-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S