[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 122 (Monday, June 25, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37878-37879]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-15445]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA626


Marine Mammals; File No. 16163

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for permit amendment.

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

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Northwest Fisheries Science 
Center (NWFSC, Dr. M. Bradley Hanson, Principal Investigator), 2725 
Montlake Blvd. East, Seattle, WA 98112-2097, has applied for an 
amendment to Scientific Research Permit No. 16163.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before July 25, 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 home 
page, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File No. 16163 
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 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. 16163 
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: Laura Morse or Jennifer Skidmore, 
(301) 427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 16163 is 
requested under the authority of 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 (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).
    Permit No. 16163, issued on June 5, 2012 (77 FR 35657), authorizes 
takes of forty-two species of marine mammals in all U.S. and 
international waters in the Pacific Ocean, including waters of Alaska, 
Washington, Oregon, California, and Hawaii. Harassment of all species 
of cetaceans will occur through vessel approach for sighting surveys, 
photographic identification, behavioral research, opportunistic 
sampling (breath, sloughed skin, fecal material, and prey remains), 
acoustic imaging with echosounders, and aerial surveys. Twenty-seven 
cetacean species and unidentified mesoplodon species will be biopsied, 
dart, and/or suction-cup tagged. Ultrasound sampling will be directed 
at killer whales including the Southern Resident stock. Active acoustic 
playback studies will be directed at Southern Resident killer whales. 
Import and export of marine mammal prey specimens, skin and blubber, 
sloughed skin, fecal and breath samples obtained is authorized. The 
permit is valid until June 6, 2017.
    The permit holder is requesting the permit be amended to increase 
the takes associated with Level B harassment from 25 each per year to 
2500 for short- beaked common (Delphinus delphis) and long-beaked 
common (D. capensis) dolphins. The purpose of the take increase is to 
correct an error in original application.
    An environmental assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant 
Impact (FONSI) (signed June 4, 2012) prepared for the permit analyzed 
the effects of Level B harassment of long- and short beaked common 
dolphins and the determination was made that preparation of an 
environmental impact statement was not required. NMFS has further 
determined that the proposed increase in takes would not significantly 
impact the quality of the human environment and that preparation of a 
supplemental environmental assessment is not required. The EA and FONSI 
are available upon request.
    Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal 
Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of the amendment request 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) 713-2289; 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;
    Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long 
Beach, CA 90802-4213; phone (562) 980-4001; fax (562) 980-4018; and

[[Page 37879]]

    Pacific Islands Region, NMFS, 1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Rm 1110, 
Honolulu, HI 96814-4700; phone (808) 973-2935; fax (808)973-2941.

    Dated: June 20, 2012.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-15445 Filed 6-22-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P