[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 47 (Thursday, March 11, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 11516]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-5251]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XU88


Marine Mammals; File No. 808-1735

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 Andrew Read, Ph.D., Duke 
University Marine Laboratory, 135 Pivers Island Road, Beaufort, North 
Carolina 28516, has applied for an amendment to Scientific Research 
Permit No. 808-1735.

DATES:  Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or 
before April 12, 2010.

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. 808-1735 from the list of available applications.
    These documents are also available 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; and
    Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long 
Beach, CA 90802-4213; phone (562) 980-4001; fax (562) 980-4018;
    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 e-mail to [email protected]. Please include the 
File No. in the subject line of the e-mail 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:  Amy Hapeman or Kristy Beard, (301) 
713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 808-1735 
is requested under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 
1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), and the regulations 
governing the taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    Permit No. 808-1735, issued on June 27, 2007 (72 FR 36429), 
authorizes the permit holder to take humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), 
blue (Balaenoptera musculus), fin (B. physalus), sei (B. borealis), and 
Antarctic minke (B. bonaerensis) whales in the Southern Ocean to 
examine their foraging behavior relative to krill patches. The permit 
authorizes the close approach of whales during vessel surveys for 
photo-identification, behavioral observation, tracking, and incidental 
harassment. A subset of whales may be suction-cup tagged during 
surveys. The permit is valid through May 31, 2012. The permit holder is 
requesting the permit be amended to include authorization for the take 
of Arnoux's beaked whales (Berardius arnouxii) during vessel surveys in 
the Southern Ocean. Up to 200 whales would be closely approached 
annually for photo-identification, behavioral observation, and 
incidental harassment. Dr. Read is also requesting 10 takes for the 
suction-cup tagging of up 5 whales annually. The purpose of the 
research is to gain information on the distribution, biology, ecology, 
movement patterns, and behavior of these extremely rare marine mammals 
and generate a catalog of known individuals that can then be used for a 
mark-recapture experiment. The amendment would be valid for the life of 
the permit.
    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: March 4, 2010.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-5251 Filed 3-10-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S