[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 183 (Monday, September 22, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Page 56574]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-22496]


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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; issuance of permit amendment.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that John Calambokidis, Cascadia 
Research Collective, Waterstreet Building, 218\1/2\ West Fourth Avenue, 
Olympia, WA 89501, has been issued a minor amendment to Scientific 
Research Permit No. 16111-01.

ADDRESSES: The amendment and related documents are available for review 
upon written request or by appointment in the Permits and Conservation 
Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, 
Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; telephone: (301) 427-8401; fax: 
(301) 713-0376.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rosa L. Gonz[aacute]lez or Courtney 
Smith, telephone: (301) 427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The requested amendment has been granted 
under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as 
amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) and the regulations governing the 
taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    The original permit (No. 16111), issued on July 12, 2012 (77 FR 
44218) authorized Mr. Calambokidis 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. 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 may 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). 
Vessel research includes 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. Aerial surveys may be conducted to study abundance and 
distribution, and to track tagged animals. Ground surveys may be 
conducted for population counts and scat collection to study harbor 
seals (Phoca vitulina) and other pinnipeds at haul-out areas in Puget 
Sound and throughout Washington. Permit No. 16111 expires on July 15, 
2017. The minor amendment (No. 16111-01) changes the manner in which 
marine mammals may be taken but does not change any other terms or 
conditions of the permit. It authorizes the use of archival tags via 
dart-attachment in addition to currently permitted LIMPET (Low Impact 
Minimally Percutaneous Electronic Transmitter) tags. It also authorizes 
aerial takes from small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS), primarily small 
quadcopters, for some of the same purposes described in the original 
application including obtaining size measurements of whales, 
identifying scaring/markings, and monitoring behavior especially in 
response to ship noise and Navy sonar. The permit expires July 15, 
2017.

    Dated: September 12, 2014.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-22496 Filed 9-19-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P