[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 80 (Tuesday, April 27, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 22119]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-9731]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XW08


Marine Mammals; File No. 14245

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 National Marine Fisheries 
Service, National Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMML), Alaska Fisheries 
Science Center, (Dr. John Bengtson, Responsible Party), 7600 Sand Point 
Way, NE, Seattle, Washington 98115-6349, has applied in due form for a 
permit to conduct scientific research in the Pacific, Southern, 
Atlantic, and Arctic Oceans on 33 cetacean species, including 
endangered blue (Balaenoptera musculus), sei (B. borealis), fin (B. 
physalus), sperm (Physeter macrocephalus), North Pacific right 
(Eubalaena japonica), bowhead (Balaena mysticetus), humpback (Megaptera 
novaeangliae), Southern Resident killer (Orcinus orca), and Cook Inlet 
beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) whales.

DATES:  Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or 
before May 27, 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. 14245 from the list of available applications.
    These documents are also available upon written request or by 
appointment in the following offices: See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
    Written comments on this application should be submitted to the 
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, at the address 
listed below. Comments may also be submitted by facsimile to (301)713-
0376, or by email to [email protected]. Please include File No. 
14245 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 below. The request should set forth the 
specific reasons why a hearing on this application would be 
appropriate.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Amy Hapeman 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 NMML requests a five-year permit to conduct research on marine 
mammals in the Pacific, Southern, Atlantic, and Arctic Oceans to 
monitor cetaceans for scientific and management purposes. NMML would 
conduct ongoing projects designed to collect multi-year data to 
evaluate trends, abundance and distribution of whales and dolphins over 
long periods of time. Research activities would include aerial and 
vessel surveys, biopsy sampling, tagging, captures and a suite of 
sampling procedures associated with captures. Aerial and vessel surveys 
would be conducted for abundance estimation and distribution using line 
transect survey methods, photo-identification surveys, feeding studies, 
and searching for target species for feeding, biopsy and tagging 
studies. Eight pinniped species, including endangered Steller sea lions 
(Eumetopias jubatus), could be incidentally harassed during aerial 
surveys below 1,000 ft. Biopsy sampling would be conducted in 
conjunction with photo-identification surveys and tagging projects and 
during dedicated biopsy projects. Individuals may sampled up to four 
times annually for studies on distribution and prey choices. 
Transmitters would be attached using various methods to investigate 
cetacean movements and habitat use. Beluga whales, Dall's porpoises 
(Phocoenoides dalli), and harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) would be 
captured for health assessments, attachment of satellite and/or VHF 
telemetry tags, and released. Over the life of the permit, capture 
activities may result in the unintentional deaths of four beluga whales 
from each non-listed stock and four animals from each species of 
porpoise. Capture research would be suspended and reviewed if four 
beluga whales, all stocks combined, die in a single year. NMFS is not 
permitting capture activities or mortality of endangered Cook Inlet 
beluga whales at this time, but is analyzing the impacts of these 
activities under the National Environmental Policy Act and the ESA in 
the event that these activities are considered in the future. The NMML 
also requests the salvage and import/export of cetacean parts, 
specimens, and biological samples collected during these projects.
    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.
    Documents may be reviewed in the following locations:
    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;
    Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, BIN C15700, Bldg. 
1, Seattle, WA 98115-0700; phone (206)526-6150; fax (206)526-6426;
    Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668; phone 
(907)586-7221; fax (907)586-7249;
    Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long 
Beach, CA 90802-4213; phone (562)980-4001; fax (562)980-4018;
    Pacific Islands Region, NMFS, 1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Rm 1110, 
Honolulu, HI 96814-4700; phone (808)944-2200; fax (808)973-2941;
    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, FL 
33701; phone (727)824-5312; fax (727)824-5309.

    Dated: April 21, 2010.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-9731 Filed 4-26-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S