[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 225 (Tuesday, November 24, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 61331]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-28158]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XT05


Marine Mammals; File No. 14791

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Douglas Nowacek, Ph.D., Duke 
University Marine Lab, Beaufort, NC 28516, has applied in due form for 
a permit to conduct scientific research North Atlantic right whales 
(Eubalaena glacialis).

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or 
before December 24, 2009.

ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for 
review by selecting ``Records Open for Public Comment'' from the 
Features box on the Applications and Permits for Protected Species 
(APPS) home page, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File 
No. 14791 from the list of available applications.
    These documents are also available 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) 713-0376;
    Northeast Region, NMFS, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 
01930; phone (978) 281-9328; 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 on this application should be submitted to the 
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, at the address 
listed above. Comments may also be submitted by facsimile to (301) 713-
0376, or by email to [email protected]. Please include the File 
No. in the subject line of the email comment.
    Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a 
written request to the Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education 
Division at the address listed above. The request should set forth the 
specific reasons why a hearing on this application would be 
appropriate.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kate Swails 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 primary research objective is to determine (1) natural 
behavioral patterns right whales exhibit to approaching vessels and (2) 
the ability of right whales to localize and detect vessels and other 
sounds in their environment. Researchers would conduct passive 
recording, attach a digital sound recording tag (DTAG) via suction cup, 
and collect samples of exhaled air and sloughed skin on up to 40 right 
whales per year. Up to 90 right whales may be incidentally harassed 
during the research. The research would take place along the eastern 
seaboard of the U.S. and the permit would be issued for five years.
    Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal 
Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of the application to the Marine 
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.

    Dated: November 19, 2009.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E9-28158 Filed 11-23-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S