[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 184 (Thursday, September 24, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48720-48721]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-23065]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XR76


Marine Mammals; File No. 605-1904

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

ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit amendment.

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

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 been issued an amendment to scientific 
research Permit No. 605-1904.

ADDRESSES: The amendment 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)713-0376;
    Northeast Region, NMFS, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 
01930; phone (978)281-9300; fax (978)281-9333; and
    Southeast Region, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, 
Florida 33701; phone (727)824-5312; fax (727)824-5309.

[[Page 48721]]


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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 4, 2008, notice was published in 
the Federal Register (73 FR 45217) that an amendment to Permit No. 605-
1904, issued February 21, 2008 (73 FR 10744), had been requested by the 
above-named organization. The requested amendment has been granted 
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. 605-1904 authorizes the WCNE 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 calves three to six 
months of age may also be biopsy sampled. This amendment authorizes the 
WCNE to harass up to 75 North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena 
glacialis) 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 is valid 
until the permit expires on February 15, 2013.
    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: September 18, 2009.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E9-23065 Filed 9-23-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S