[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 132 (Wednesday, July 11, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37731-37732]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-13474]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XB31


Marine Mammals; File No. 1127-1921

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.

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

SUMMARY:  Notice is hereby given that the Hawaii Marine Mammal 
Consortium, PO Box 6107, Kamuela, HI 96743, has applied in due form for 
a permit to conduct research on 24 cetacean species found in Hawaiian 
waters.

DATES:  Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or 
before August 10, 2007.

ADDRESSES:  The application and related documents are available for 
review upon written request or by appointment in the following offices:
    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; and
    Pacific Islands Region, NMFS, 1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Rm 1110, 
Honolulu, HI 96814-4700; phone (808)973-2935; fax (808)973-2941.
    Written comments or requests for a public hearing on this 
application 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

[[Page 37732]]

set forth the specific reasons why a hearing on this particular request 
would be appropriate.
    Comments may also be submitted by facsimile at (301)427-2521, 
provided the facsimile is confirmed by hard copy submitted by mail and 
postmarked no later than the closing date of the comment period.
    Comments may also be submitted by e-mail. The mailbox address for 
providing e-mail comments is [email protected]. Include in the 
subject line of the e-mail comment the following document identifier: 
File No. 1127-1921.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Brandy Hutnak or Carrie Hubard, 
(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.), and the 
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of 
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR 222-226).
    The Hawaii Marine Mammal Consortium seeks a five year permit to 
conduct research on 24 cetacean species, including the following 
endangered species: blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus), fin whale (B. 
physalus), humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), sei whale (B. 
borealis), and sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus). The objectives of 
the research are to assess the status, numbers, distribution, and life 
histories of cetacean species in Hawaiian waters. The type of take 
involved would consist of Level A harassment (biopsy sampling) and 
Level B harassment (close approach, photo-id, audio recording, 
underwater photography and video, photogrammetry, and collection of 
sloughed skin and fecal samples). All age classes, except mothers and 
associated calves less than one year old, would be biopsy sampled. The 
core study area is the leeward coast of the island of Hawaii, but 
activities might be conducted in any of the near shore waters of the 
main and northwestern Hawaiian Islands, including waters off the 
Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument. No mortality or 
incidental harassment of non-target species is being requested.
    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 5, 2007.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E7-13474 Filed 7-10-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S