[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 150 (Monday, August 4, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45217-45218]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-17813]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XJ48


Marine Mammals; File No. 605-1904

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 the Whale Center of New England 
(WCNE) (Mason Weinrich, Principal Investigator), P.O. Box 159, 
Gloucester, MA 01930, has requested an amendment to scientific research 
Permit No. 605-1904.

DATES:  Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or 
before September 3, 2008.

ADDRESSES:  The amendment request 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.
    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. 605-1904-01.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 605-
1904, issued on February 21, 2008 (73 FR 10744) 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. 605-1904 authorizes the permit holder to harass humpback 
(Megaptera novaengliae), fin (Balaenoptera physalus), and sei 
(Balaenoptera borealis) whales along the U.S. Atlantic coast during 
close approaches for vessel surveys, photo-identification, tracking, 
and incidental harassment annually. During approaches, researchers may 
suction-cup tag and/or biopsy sample whales greater than six months of 
age. A subset of approached humpback and fin whale

[[Page 45218]]

calves three to six months of age may also be biopsy sampled. The 
original application submitted by the WCNE included a request to 
conduct research on North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis). 
At the time of permit issuance, takes for right whales were not 
authorized. NMFS is now reviewing the right whale portion of the 
request as an amendment to Permit No. 605-1904. The WCNE requests 
authorization to harass up to 75 North Atlantic right whales annually 
during close vessel approaches for photo-identification, behavioral 
observation, and prey sampling. This work would continue long-term 
population monitoring to determine status and trends of this species in 
the North Atlantic. The amendment would be valid until the permit 
expires on February 15, 2013.
    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 29, 2008.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8-17813 Filed 8-1-08; 8:45 am]
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