[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 249 (Wednesday, December 29, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 81970-81971]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-32847]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA113


Marine Mammals; File No. 14245; Permit To Conduct Research on 
Marine Mammals; Receipt of Application

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 research on narwhals, Monodon monoceros.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or 
before January 28, 2011.

ADDRESSES: These documents are 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
    Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668; phone 
(907) 586-7221; fax (907) 586-7249.
    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 Carrie Hubard, (301) 
713-2289.

[[Page 81971]]


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.), and the regulations governing the 
taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    On April 27, 2010 notice (80 FR 22119) was published that NMML 
requests a 5-year permit to conduct research on marine mammals in the 
Pacific, Atlantic, Arctic, and Southern Oceans to monitor cetaceans for 
scientific and management purposes. NMFS is in the midst of processing 
this request. Due to recent changes in narwhal distribution NMML now 
requests as part of this application to take narwhals during aerial and 
vessel surveys to document sightings in North Pacific and Arctic waters 
and monitor their status and trends. Up to 1,000 animals would be taken 
annually by each survey platform for observation, monitoring, counts, 
photo-identification and photogrammetry. During vessel surveys 
researchers would opportunistically collect sloughed skin, fecal 
samples, and carcass remains.
    An environmental assessment is being prepared in compliance with 
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) 
to examine whether significant environmental impacts could result from 
issuance of the proposed scientific research permit.
    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: December 22, 2010.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-32847 Filed 12-28-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P