[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 81 (Wednesday, April 27, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23571-23572]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-10175]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA395


Marine Mammals and Endangered Species; File Nos. 15415 and 14622

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

ACTION: Notice; issuance of permits.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS has issued two permits to 
conduct research on marine mammals or sea turtles. 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:
    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, FL 
33701; phone (727)824-5312; fax (727)824-5309.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The following Amy Hapeman or Kristy 
Beard at (301)713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 10, 2010, notice was published 
in the Federal Register (75 FR 76956) that a request for a permit to 
conduct research on North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) 
had been submitted by Scott D. Kraus, Ph.D. [File No. 15415]. On March 
4, 2010, notice was published in the Federal Register (75 FR 9868) that 
a request for a permit to conduct research on green (Chelonia mydas), 
hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys

[[Page 23572]]

kempii), and loggerhead (Caretta caretta) sea turtles had been 
submitted by Allen Foley [File No. 14622]. The requested permits have 
been issued under the following authorities as applicable: 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). Scott Kraus, Ph.D. [File No. 15415], New England 
Aquarium Edgerton Research Laboratory, Central Wharf, Boston, MA 02110, 
was issued a three-year permit to study North Atlantic right whales 
along the U.S. East Coast from New York Harbor to the Maine-Canada 
border. Dr. Kraus is authorized to conduct control and experimental 
visual trials to determine if right whales are responsive to various 
color and light characteristics. Dr. Kraus is authorized to closely 
approach whales by vessel for photo-identification, observation, and 
monitoring during trials. The research would seek to determine whether 
the sensory and behavioral capabilities of right whales can be used to 
avoid entanglements at depth and in conditions of poor visibility.
    Allen Foley [File No. 14622], Florida Fish and Wildlife 
Conservation Commission, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, 370 Zoo 
Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32218, was issued a five-year permit to: (1) 
Monitor the abundance of loggerhead and green sea turtles; (2) 
characterize the aggregations of loggerhead, Kemp's ridley, and 
hawksbill sea turtles; and (3) determine the movements, behaviors, 
habitat-use, and reproductive status of loggerhead sea turtles in 
Florida Bay and the Everglades National Park. Researchers are 
authorized to approach green sea turtles during non-linear transect 
surveys and hand capture loggerhead, Kemp's ridley, and hawksbill sea 
turtles during capture-mark-recapture studies. Captured turtles would 
be examined, measured, photographed, weighed, flipper tagged, passive 
integrated transponder tagged, marked with paint, and blood sampled to 
determine and monitor sex ratios, genetic identities, health and 
reproductive status, growth, and subsequent movements and behaviors. A 
subset of animals would receive: skin and carapace sampling, a 
satellite transmitter attachment, ultrasound and/or laparoscopy and 
organ sampling before release.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), environmental assessments (EAs) were prepared 
analyzing the effects of the permitted activities on the human 
environment. Based on the analyses in the EAs, NMFS determined that 
issuance of the permits would 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 
Findings of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for these actions.
    As required by the ESA, issuance of the permits were 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.

    Dated: April 21, 2011.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-10175 Filed 4-26-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P