[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 13 (Tuesday, January 21, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3346-3347]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-01023]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XB157


Marine Mammals; File No. 14856

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

ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit.

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

[[Page 3347]]

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that a permit has been issued to Bruce 
R. Mate, Ph.D., Hatfield Marine Science Center, Oregon State 
University, Newport, OR 97365 to conduct research on 78 species of 
marine mammals for scientific research.

ADDRESSES: The permit and related documents are available for review 
upon written request or by appointment in the following offices: See 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Hapeman or Kristy Beard, (301) 
427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 1, 2012, notice was published in the 
Federal Register (77 FR 32571) that a request for a permit to conduct 
research on marine mammals had been submitted by the above-named 
applicant. The requested permit has been issued 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 (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), the regulations governing the 
taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species 
(50 CFR parts 222-226), and the Fur Seal Act of 1966, as amended (16 
U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).
    Dr. Mate has been issued a permit that authorizes the take of 66 
species of cetaceans and 12 species of pinnipeds in U.S. and 
international waters worldwide. The purposes of the research are to: 
(1) Identify migration routes; (2) identify specific feeding and 
breeding grounds for each species; (3) characterize local movements and 
dive habits in both feeding and breeding grounds, and during migration; 
(4) examine the relationships between movements/dive habits and prey 
distribution, time of day, geographic location, or physical and 
biological oceanographic conditions; (5) characterize whale 
vocalizations; and (6) characterize sound pressure levels to which 
whales are exposed. Researchers are authorized to conduct aerial and 
vessel surveys to perform a suite of research activities including: 
observations, biopsy sampling, implantable and suction-cup tagging, 
photo-identification, behavioral observation, passive acoustic 
recording, post-tag monitoring, and/or import, receive or export parts. 
Sixteen threatened or endangered marine mammals may be targeted for 
research or incidentally harassed during surveys. The request to attach 
implantable tags to minke (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) and killer 
whales (Orcinus orca) was denied. The permit expires December 31, 2018.
    An environmental assessment (EA) was prepared analyzing the effects 
of the permitted activities on the human environment in compliance with 
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). 
Based on the analyses in the EA, NMFS determined that issuance of the 
permit would not significantly impact the quality of the human 
environment and that preparation of an environmental impact statement 
was not required. That determination is documented in a Finding of No 
Significant Impact, signed on December 16, 2013.
    As required by the ESA, issuance of this permit was based on a 
finding that such permit: (1) Was applied for in good faith; (2) will 
not operate to the disadvantage of such endangered species; and (3) is 
consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the 
ESA.
    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;
    West Coast Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long 
Beach, CA 90802-4213; phone (562) 980-4005; fax (562) 980-4027;
    Pacific Islands Region, NMFS, 1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Rm 1110, 
Honolulu, HI 96814-4700; phone (808) 944-2200; fax (808) 973-2941;
    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.

    Dated: January 15, 2014.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-01023 Filed 1-17-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P