[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 244 (Tuesday, December 20, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78890-78891]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-32538]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA874


Marine Mammals; File No. 15240

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 the NMFS Pacific Islands Fisheries 
Science Center (PIFSC), 2570 Dole Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822 
(Responsible Party: Frank A. Parrish,

[[Page 78891]]

Ph.D.), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on 
cetaceans.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before January 19, 2012.

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. 15240 from the list of available applications.
    These documents are also available upon written request or by 
appointment in the following offices:
    Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; 
phone (301) 427-8401; fax (301) 713-0376; and
    Pacific Islands Region, NMFS, 1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Rm 1110, 
Honolulu, HI 96814-4700; phone (808) 944-2200; fax (808) 973-2941;
    Written comments on this application should be submitted to the 
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, at the address listed above. 
Comments may also be submitted by facsimile to (301) 713-0376, or by 
email to [email protected]. Please include the File No. in the 
subject line of the email comment.
    Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a 
written request to the Chief, Permits and Conservation 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: Carrie Hubard or Laura Morse, (301) 
427-8401.

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 PIFSC is requesting a five-year permit to conduct research on 
20 cetacean species, including six species listed as endangered [blue 
(Balaenoptera musculus), fin (B. physalus), sei (B. borealis), humpback 
(Megaptera novaeangliae), sperm (Physeter macrocephalus), and North 
Pacific right (Eubalaena japonica) whales] and one stock proposed to be 
listed as endangered, Hawaiian insular false killer whales (Pseudorca 
crassidens). Takes would also be authorized for five categories of 
unidentified cetaceans (dolphins, beaked whales, Mesoplodon spp., 
rorquals, and Kogia spp.). Endangered Hawaiian monk seals (Monachus 
schauinslandi) may be harassed incidental to the cetacean research. The 
purpose of the research is to determine the abundance, distribution, 
stock structure, movement patterns, and ecological relationships of 
cetaceans occurring in U.S. and international waters of the Pacific 
Islands Region. The action area includes places such as Hawaii, 
Palmyra, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
Islands, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Howland Island, Baker Island, 
Jarvis Island, and Wake Island. Research methodologies include aerial 
and vessel surveys, behavioral observations, photo-identification, 
acoustic recordings, biological sample collection, and dart and suction 
cup tagging. Salvage and import/export of cetacean parts, specimens, 
and biological samples would also occur.
    A draft environmental assessment (EA) has been 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. The draft EA is available for review and comment simultaneous 
with the scientific research permit application.
    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 14, 2011.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-32538 Filed 12-19-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P