[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 18 (Monday, January 28, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4846-4847]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-1431]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF22


Marine Mammals; File No. 775-1875

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

ACTION:  Notice; issuance of permit.

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SUMMARY:  Notice is hereby given that the Northeast Fisheries Science 
Center (NEFSC), National Marine Fisheries Service [Dr. Nancy Thompson, 
Responsible Party], 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543, has been 
issued a permit to conduct research on, and import/export specimens 
collected from, marine mammals.

ADDRESSES:  The permit 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;
    Northeast Region, NMFS, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-
2298; phone (978)281-9300; fax (978)281-9394; and
    Southeast Region, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, 
Florida 33701; phone (727)824-5312; fax (727)824-5309.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 10, 2007, notice was published in 
the Federal Register (72 FR 1218) that a request for a scientific 
research permit to take seven species of baleen whales, twenty-five 
species/stocks of odontocetes, and four species of pinnipeds, including 
the following endangered species: sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), 
sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis), blue whale (B. musculus), fin whale 
(B. physalus), humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), and right whale 
(Eubalaena glacialis), had been submitted by the above-named 
organization. The requested permit has been issued under the authority 
of the

[[Page 4847]]

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).
    This research permit authorizes aerial and vessel surveys to be 
conducted including close approach, photo-id, and incidental harassment 
of cetaceans. Level A activities include biopsy sampling and suction-
cup tagging, which will be conducted on all age classes with the 
exception of neonates. Additionally, researchers are authorized to 
capture, biological sample, incidentally harass, and release four 
species of pinnipeds. Pinniped research would be conducted on all age 
classes including pups. The study area for this permit includes waters 
within or proximal to the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone from Maine to 
Florida. Finally, researchers are authorized to import and export 
cetacean and pinniped specimens (including soft and hard tissue, blood, 
extracted DNA, whole dead animals, etc.) to/from any country.
    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.

    Dated: January 22, 2008.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8-1431 Filed 1-25-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S