[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 40 (Wednesday, February 29, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12244-12245]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-4833]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XB042


Marine Mammals; File No. 16325

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Jooke Robbins, Ph.D., Center for 
Coastal Studies (CCS), 5 Holway Avenue, Provincetown, MA 02657, has 
applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on humpback whales 
(Megaptera novaeangliae), fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), blue 
whales (B. musculus), sei whales (B. borealis), minke whales (B. 
acutorostrata), sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus), and killer 
whales (Orcinus orca).

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before March 30, 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. 16325 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;
    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.
    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

[[Page 12245]]

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: Joselyd Garcia-Reyes or Carrie Hubard, 
(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 applicant requests a permit to conduct close vessel approaches; 
photo-identification and behavioral observations; photogrammetry; 
collection of exhaled air, feces and sloughed skin; and skin and 
blubber biopsy sampling import and export of parts; in order to 
continue a long-term study of North Atlantic humpback whales and to 
improve understanding of six other species in the North Atlantic (fin, 
blue, sei, minke, sperm and killer whales). Research would occur in the 
waters off Maine to Florida and Puerto Rico. The purposes of the 
research are to: (1) Monitor trends in abundance and vital rates, (2) 
study movement and habitat use patterns, including individual exchange 
with other populations, (3) study entanglement rates and human-related 
impacts, (4) perform genetic investigations into demography and 
reproductive success, (5) perform hormone-based studies into 
reproduction and neonatal mortality, and (6) perform stable isotope 
investigations into foraging ecology and nutritional stress in humpback 
whales. Research on the other species would focus primarily on 
population structure, human impacts, and health. Up to 2,100 humpback 
whales, 250 fin whales, 100 sei whales, and 50 whales from each of the 
remaining species could be harassed each year during photo-
identification activities, and collection of sloughed skin, exhaled 
mucosa/gases, and/or feces. In addition, 340 humpback whales, 90 fin 
whales, 70 sei whales, and 30 whales from each of the remaining species 
could be harassed each year to acquire successful skin and blubber 
biopsy samples. North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) and 
14 other non-listed marine mammals could be incidentally harassed. See 
the application for specific take numbers by location and species/
stock. The permit would be valid for a period of five years.
    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: February 24, 2012.
Tammy Adams,
Acting Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-4833 Filed 2-28-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P