[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 246 (Wednesday, December 26, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 72997]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-24944]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE37


Marine Mammals; File No. 473-1700

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

ACTION:  Notice; receipt of application for amendment.

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SUMMARY:  Notice is hereby given that Janice Straley, University of 
Alaska, 1332 Seward Ave, Sitka, Alaska 99835, has requested an 
amendment to scientific research Permit No. 473-1700-01.

DATES:  Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or 
before January 25, 2008.

ADDRESSES:  The amendment request 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; and
    Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668; phone 
(907)586-7221; fax (907)586-7249.
    Written comments or requests for a public hearing on this request 
should be submitted 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 set forth the specific reasons why a 
hearing on this particular amendment 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. 473-1700.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 473-
1700-01 is requested 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 (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).
    Permit No. 473-1700 was issued to the applicant on June 20, 2004 
(69 FR 44514). A minor amendment (No. 473-1700-01) was issued on 
December 4, 2005 and remains valid through June 30, 2009. The current 
permit authorizes the permit holder to conduct research on humpback 
whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) , 
minke whales (Balaenoptera acustorostrata), sperm whales (Physeter 
macrocephalus) , fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), and killer whales 
(Orcinus orca). Incidental harassment of harbor porpoise (Phocoena 
phocoena), Dall's porpoise (P. dalli), Atlantic white-sided dolphins 
(Lagenorhynchus obliquidens), Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus), 
harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) and Northern fur seals (Callorhinus 
ursinus) is also authorized. Research methods include photo-
identification, passive acoustic recording, behavioral observations, 
suction-cup tagging (including Crittercam), and biopsy. The permit 
holder requests authorization to increase the number of sperm whales 
that may be suction-cup tagged to 50 (an increase of 25 animals), 
attach satellite tags to 20 sperm whales and 20 killer whales, and 
modify operations of fishing vessel methods which could result in the 
taking of 40 sperm whales by Level B harassment. All research would be 
conducted in the Gulf of Alaska. The permit amendment would be 
effective until the permit expiration date.
    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: December 18, 2007.
Patrick Opay,
Acting Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E7-24944 Filed 12-21-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S