[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 127 (Tuesday, July 3, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36429-36430]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-12873]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XB08


Marine Mammals; File Nos. 808-1735 and 1058-1733

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

ACTION: Notice; issuance of permits.

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

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Andrew Read, Ph.D., Duke 
University Marine Laboratory, 135 Pivers Island Road, Beaufort, North 
Carolina 28516 and Mark Baumgartner, Ph.D., MS 33, Woods Hole 
Oceanographic Institute, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, 02543 have been 
issued permits to conduct research on humpback whales (Megaptera 
novaeangliae), blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus), fin whales 
(Balaenoptera physalus), sei whales (Balaenoptera borealis), and 
Antarctic minke whales (Balaenoptera bonaerensis).

[[Page 36430]]


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;Southwest 
Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-
4213; phone (562)980-4001; fax (562)980-4018; andNortheast Region, 
NMFS, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-2298; phone (978)281-
9300; fax (978)281-9394.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Hapeman or Jaclyn Daly, (301)713-
2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 7, 2004, notice was published in 
the Federal Register (69 FR 18357) that requests for scientific 
research permits to take the species identified above 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 No. 808-1735, issued to Dr. Andrew Read, allows for the take 
of humpback, blue, fin, sei, and Antarctic minke whales in the Southern 
Ocean to examine their foraging behavior relative to krill patches. The 
permit authorizes the close approach of up to 295 humpback whales and 
65 of each species of blue, fin, sei, and Antarctic minke whales 
annually during vessel surveys for photo-identification, behavioral 
observation, tracking, and incidental harassment. Of these animals, up 
to 45 humpbacks and 15 of each species of blue, fin, sei, and Antarctic 
minke whales may be suction-cup tagged annually during surveys. The 
permit is issued for five years.
    Permit No. 1058-1733, issued to Dr. Baumgartner, allows for the 
take of baleen whalesto examine aspects of foraging and diving 
behaviors in the Southern Ocean as well as to determine the overlap of 
diving behaviors with the vertical structure of fixed fishing gear in 
the North Atlantic Ocean. In the Southern Ocean, researchers may 
closely approach up to 324 of each species of humpback, blue, fin, sei, 
and Antarctic minke whales annually during vessel surveys for photo-
identification, behavioral observation, tracking, and incidental 
harassment. Of these animals, up to 108 of each species may be suction-
cup tagged annually during surveys. In the North Atlantic, researchers 
may closely approach up to 324 of each species of humpback, fin, and 
sei whales annually during vessel surveys for photo-identification, 
behavioral observation, tracking, and incidental harassment. Of these 
animals, up to 108 of each species may be suction-cup tagged annually 
during surveys. The permit is issued for five years.
    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 the 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: June 27, 2007.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E7-12873 Filed 7-2-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S