[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 68 (Tuesday, April 9, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21113-21114]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-08173]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XC599


Marine Mammals; File No. 17845

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 Rachel Cartwright, Keiki Kohola 
Project, 5277 West Wooley Rd., Oxnard, CA 93035, has applied in due 
form for a permit to conduct research on humpback whales (Megaptera 
novaeangliae).

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before May 9, 2013.

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. 17845 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. 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: Kristy Beard 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 proposed five-year permit would authorize the level A and B 
harassment of humpback whales during photo-identification, behavioral 
follows, and surface and underwater observations in Hawaii, Alaska, and 
California. The applicant would approach up to 1,047 humpback whales in 
Hawaii, 630 in Alaska and 480 in California each year. Short-term, non-
invasive, suction cup tagging of maternal females would be conducted 
within Hawaiian waters to document nocturnal behaviors and fine-scale 
movements and in Californian waters to better understand use of waters 
around the Santa Barbara Channel and Channel Islands (Anacapa, Santa 
Cruz and Santa Rosa Islands). Twelve tags would be deployed annually in 
both Hawaii and California; two attempts would be made to attach a tag 
to an individual. Surveys would be conducted between December and May 
each year within Hawaiian waters and for a four to six week period 
between April and November in Alaskan and Californian waters each year. 
The purpose of the proposed research is to identify and define critical 
habitat used by maternal female humpback whales and their calves, 
across the period from infancy to maturity and independence. Inherent 
in this goal is the understanding of the functionality of

[[Page 21114]]

behavior during this period, with regards to both the maternal female 
and her calf. This study would provide the information required to 
ensure that management practices in waters used by maternal females, 
their calves and maturing juvenile whales are effective and accurately 
targeted. Opportunistic research on Pacific white-sided dolphins 
(Lagenorhynchus obliquidens), Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus), 
Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli), blue whales (Balaenoptera 
musculus), killer whales (Orcinus orca), minke whales (B. 
acutorostrata), spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris), bottlenose 
dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), and false killer whales (Pseudorca 
crassidens) would also be conducted. Incidental harassment of Steller 
(Eumetopias jubatus) and California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) 
would also occur.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial determination has been made that 
the activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to 
prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.
    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;
    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
    Pacific Islands Region, NMFS, 1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Rm 1110, 
Honolulu, HI 96814-4700; phone (808) 944-2200; fax (808) 973-2941.

    Dated: April 3, 2013.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-08173 Filed 4-8-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P