[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 63 (Monday, April 2, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19645-19646]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-7859]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA626


Marine Mammals; File No. 16111

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 John Calambokidis, Cascadia Research 
Collective, Waterstreet Building, 218 [frac12] West Fourth Avenue, 
Olympia, WA 89501, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct 
research on marine mammals.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before May 2, 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. 16111 from the list of available applications.
    These documents are also available upon written request or by 
appointment in the following offices: See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
    Written comments on these applications 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 at 
(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).
    Mr. John Calambokidis requests a five-year permit to study 
cetaceans and pinnipeds in the eastern North Pacific, from Central 
America to Alaska. The research is a continuation of long-term studies 
designed to examine marine mammal abundance, distribution, population 
structure, habitat use, social structure, movement patterns, diving 
behavior, and diet. The proposed project would also assess the impact 
of human activities such as ship strikes, noise exposure, contaminants, 
and fishery interactions on marine mammals. Focal species are blue 
(Balaenoptera musculus), fin (B. physalus), humpback (Megaptera 
novaeangliae), eastern gray (Eschrichtius robustus), sperm (Physeter 
macrocephalus), and beaked (Mesoplodon spp.) whales. An additional 15 
cetacean species and five pinniped species would also be studied, 
including the endangered sei whale (B. borealis), endangered Southern 
Resident stock of killer whales (Orcinus orca), and the threatened 
eastern stock of Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus). Aerial surveys 
would be conducted to study abundance and distribution, and to track 
tagged animals. Ground surveys would consist of population counts and 
scat collection to study harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) and other 
pinnipeds at haul-out areas in Puget Sound and throughout Washington. 
Vessel surveys would include photo-identification, behavioral focal 
follows, underwater observations and filming, hydroacoustic prey 
determination, passive acoustic recording, breath sampling, biopsy 
sampling, collection of sloughed skin, and attachment of suction cup 
and dart tags. Tags would provide a variety of information such as 
video images, acoustic recordings, movement data, and physiology 
information.
    A draft environmental assessment (EA) has been prepared in 
compliance with the National Environmental Policy

[[Page 19646]]

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 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.
    Documents may be reviewed in the following locations: 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;
    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; and Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West 
Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4213; phone (562)980-
4001; fax (562)980-4018.

    Dated: March 28, 2012.
Tammy C. Adams,
Acting Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-7859 Filed 3-30-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P