[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 141 (Friday, July 23, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43150-43152]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-18130]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XX69


Marine Mammals; File Nos. 10018, 13846, 14451, 14585, 14599, 
14122, 14296, and 14353

AGENCY:  National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and

[[Page 43151]]

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION:  Notice; issuance of permits.

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SUMMARY:  Notice is hereby given that NMFS has issued seven permits and 
one permit amendment to conduct research on marine mammals. See 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for additional information regarding 
permittees.

ADDRESSES:  The permits and related documents are available for review 
upon written request or by appointment in the following offices: See 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  The following Analysts at (301)713-
2289: For File No. 10018: Carrie Hubard or Kristy Beard; File No. 
13846: Amy Hapeman or Kristy Beard; File No. 14451: Kate Swails or 
Kristy Beard; File No. 14585: Amy Hapeman or Kristy Beard; File No. 
14599: Amy Sloan or Kristy Beard; File No. 14122: Amy Sloan or Kristy 
Beard; File No. 14296: Kristy Beard or Jennifer Skidmore; File No. 
14353: Carrie Hubard or Kristy Beard.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 12, 2009, notice was published 
in the Federal Register (74 FR 58243) that requests for permits and an 
amendment to a permit to conduct scientific research on marine mammals 
had been submitted by the above-named applicants. The requested permits 
and amendment have been issued 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). The following summarizes each permit.
    Rachel Cartwright, Ph.D. [File No. 10018], Keiki Kohola Project, 
5277 West Wooley Road, Oxnard, CA 93035, was issued an amendment to 
Permit No. 10018, originally issued on June 18, 2008 (73 FR 36042). 
Permit No. 10018 authorized Dr. Cartwright to conduct humpback whale 
(Megaptera novaeangliae) research, consisting of photo-identification, 
focal follows, underwater observations, and collection of sloughed 
skin, in Hawaiian waters. This amendment, Permit No. 10018-01, 
authorizes the conduct of similar research in Alaskan waters from May 
through September each year. Field work will be based out of Kake, 
Alaska and focused primarily in Chatham Straits, Frederick Sound, 
Sumner Strait, Lynn Canal and Icy Strait. Humpback whales of all ages, 
including calves, will be harassed during surveys and the associated 
photo-identification, passive acoustics, and behavioral observations. 
Four other species of cetaceans (killer whales (Orcinus orca), Pacific 
white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens), and harbor (Phocoena 
phocoena) and Dall's porpoises (Phocoenoides dalli)) may be 
incidentally harassed during research. Observed killer whales will be 
photographed for identification purposes. The amended permit expires on 
June 30, 2013.
    Jim Darling, Ph.D. [File No. 13846], Whale Trust, P.O. Box 384, 
Tofino, BC V0R2Z0, Canada, was issued a five-year permit to study 
humpback whales in Hawaii (primarily off west Maui) and humpback and 
Eastern gray (Eschrichtius robustus) whales along the coastlines of 
Washington and Alaska. Researchers will conduct photo-identification, 
passive acoustic recording, behavioral observation (by vessel, 
underwater and aerial), video-recording, collection of sloughed skin, 
photogrammetry, biopsy sampling, playback experiments, and/or suction-
cup and implant tagging of target whales. Whales of all ages will be 
harassed during surveys with the exceptions that only juvenile and 
adult humpbacks will be biopsy sampled and only adult humpbacks will be 
tagged. In Hawaii, spinner (Stenella longirostris), pantropical spotted 
(S. attenuata), and bottlenose dolphins (Turisiops truncatus) and false 
killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) may be incidentally harassed 
during research. Killer whales and Steller sea lions (Eumetopias 
jubatus) may be incidentally harassed in Washington or Alaskan waters 
during research.
    Joseph Mobley, Jr. [File No. 14451], University of Hawaii at Manoa, 
2528 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96816, was issued a five-year permit 
to study cetaceans off the east and west coast of the United States, 
Hawaii, Alaska, Guam, and the Mariana Islands. Researchers will target 
numerous cetacean species including endangered blue whales 
(Balaenoptera musculus), fin whales (B. physalus), humpback whales, sei 
whales (B. borealis) and sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) during 
aerial and vessel surveys for photo-identification, videography, and 
behavioral observations.
    Adam Pack, Ph.D. [File No. 14585], University of Hawaii at Hilo, 
200 West Kawili St., Hilo, HI, 96720, was issued a five-year permit to 
study humpback whales and other cetacean species in the Eastern, 
Western and Central North Pacific Ocean, primarily Hawaii and Alaska. 
These studies include: (1) photo-identification; (2) underwater 
videogrammetry; (3) underwater videography; (4) passive acoustic 
recordings; (5) Crittercam studies; and (6) skin and blubber biopsy 
sampling. In addition to humpback whales, the following species may be 
opportunistically studied or incidentally harassed during vessel 
surveys: bottlenose dolphin, spinner dolphin, spotted dolphin, Risso's 
dolphin (Grampus griseus), false killer whale, melon-headed whale 
(Peponocephala electra), pygmy killer whale, rough toothed dolphin 
(Steno bredanensis), pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus), striped 
dolphin (S. coeruleoalba), pygmy and dwarf sperm whales (Kogia spp.), 
killer whale, sperm whale, North Pacific right whale (Eubalaena 
japonica), fin whale, blue whale, Cuvier's beaked whale (Ziphius 
cavirostris), minke whale (B. acutorostrata), sei whale, Bryde's whale 
(B. edeni), Fraser's dolphin (Lagenodelphis hosei) and Blainville's 
beaked whale (Mesoplodon densirostris).
    Fred A. Sharpe, Ph.D. [File No. 14599], Alaska Whale Foundation, 
4739 University Way NE 1239, Seattle WA 98105, was issued a 
five-year permit to conduct research on humpback whales. Research will 
include aerial observations and vessel-based approaches to individuals 
for: (1) photo-identification; (2) acoustic recordings; (3) sonar 
profiling; (4) pole cam observations; (5) broadcasting sounds to 
individuals; (6) attachment of suction cup tags; (7) SCUBA 
observations; and (8) opportunistic collection of fecal material. The 
permit also authorizes opportunistic approaches to killer whales for 
photo-identification. The activities will be conducted annually in the 
waters of Southeast Alaska, primarily from mid-May to mid-October.
    Jan Straley [File No. 14122], University of Alaska Southeast Sitka 
Campus, 1332 Seward Ave., Sitka, AK 99835, was issued a five-year 
permit to study large whales in Alaskan waters. Research will include 
vessel-based approaches: (1) to humpback whales for biological 
sampling, suction cup and satellite tagging and acoustic playbacks; (2) 
to sperm whales for biological sampling, suction cup and satellite 
tagging, fishing modifications, and acoustic playbacks; (3) to killer 
whales for biological sampling, suction cup and satellite tagging, and 
acoustic playbacks; (4) to gray, minke, fin, sei, blue, and North 
Pacific right whales for biological sampling and tagging; and (5) to

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incidentally harass and collect dead parts from prey including 
humpback, gray, minke, sei and fin whales, harbor porpoise, Dall's 
porpoise, Pacific white-sided dolphin, Northern fur seal (Callorhinus 
ursinus), Steller sea lion, and harbor seal (Phoca vitulina).
    Briana Witteveen, Ph.D. [File No. 14296], University of Alaska 
Fairbanks, School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, 118 Trident Way, 
Kodiak, AK 99615, was issued a five-year permit to conduct scientific 
research on cetaceans year-round in the Gulf of Alaska, with emphasis 
on gray, fin, humpback, and killer whales. Takes will occur by close 
approach to collect photographs, recordings of vocalizations, biopsy 
samples, prey parts, sloughed skin, to attach suction cup tags, and to 
document response to acoustic deterrents. Sei, blue, minke, sperm, and 
right whales will be taken by close approach to collect photographs and 
biopsy samples. Pacific white-sided dolphins, Dall's porpoise, harbor 
porpoise, Steller sea lions, harbor seals, and Northern fur seals will 
be incidentally harassed during research activities.
    Ann Zoidis [File No. 14353], Cetos Research Organization, 33 Echo 
Ave., Suite 5, Oakland, CA 94611, was issued a five-year permit to 
conduct scientific research on humpback and minke whales in Hawaiian 
waters. Research will occur annually from January through March. 
Humpback whale research will be focused in the Au'au Channel near Maui. 
Research activities will include photo-identification, behavioral 
observations, passive acoustic recording, and underwater photo/
videography. Suction cup tags will be deployed on humpback whales. 
Minke whales will be approached for photo-identification anywhere 
within the main Hawaiian islands. Short-finned pilot, pygmy and dwarf 
sperm, pygmy killer, false killer, Cuvier's beaked, and melon-headed 
whales and bottlenose, Risso's, rough-toothed, spinner, and pantropical 
spotted dolphins will be incidentally harassed during research 
activities.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an environmental assessment (EA) was prepared 
analyzing the effects of the permitted activities on the human 
environment. Based on the analyses in the EA, NMFS determined that 
issuance of the permits and amendment will not significantly impact the 
quality of the human environment and that preparation of an 
environmental impact statement was not required. That determination is 
documented in a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), signed on 
July 14, 2010.
    Issuance of these permits, as required by the ESA, was based on a 
finding that such permits: (1) were applied for in good faith; (2) will 
not operate to the disadvantage of such endangered species; and (3) are 
consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the 
ESA.
    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)281-9300; fax (978)281-9333; and
    Southeast Region, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, 
Florida 33701; phone (727)824-5312; fax (727)824-5309.

    Dated: July 20, 2010.
Tammy C. Adams,
Acting Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-18130 Filed 7-22-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S