[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 225 (Friday, November 21, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69432-69433]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-27538]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD607


Marine Mammals; File No. 18824

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 Briana Witteveen, Ph.D., of the 
University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Kodiak Seafood and Marine Science 
Center (118 Trident Way, Kodiak, AK, 99615), has applied in due form 
for a permit to take multiple cetacean species for purposes of 
scientific research, with additional takes of several pinniped species 
by incidental harassment, within the Gulf of Alaska.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before December 22, 2014.

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

[[Page 69433]]

Species (APPS) home page, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then 
selecting File No. 18824 from the list of available applications.
    These documents are also available 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; phone (301) 427-8401; fax (301) 713-0376.
    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. (18824) 
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: Courtney Smith or Jennifer Skidmore, 
(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.), 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.).
    The above listed applicant requests a five-year permit to conduct 
scientific research on cetaceans year-round within the Gulf of Alaska. 
The purpose of this research is to improve understanding of the 
foraging behavior, prey use, and habitat overlap among sympatric whale 
species throughout their habitat. All research will involve non-lethal 
take using vessels to collect identification photographs, recording of 
vocalizations, biopsy sampling, prey parts, sloughed skin, suction cup 
attachment of tags and documenting behavioral response to acoustic 
deterrents. The species and annual takes requested for these research 
activities include: Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae; 1000); Fin 
whales (Balaenoptera physalus; 1000); Killer whales (Orcinus orca; 
1000); Gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus; 1000); Sei whales 
(Balaenoptera borealis; 70); North Pacific Right whales (Eubaelana 
glacialis; 50); Sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus; 70); Minke whales 
(Balaenoptera acutorostrata; 70); and Blue whales (Balaenoptera 
musculus; 50). Additionally, up to 100 of each of the following 
species: Harbor Porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), Dall's porpoise (Phocoena 
dalli), and Pacific white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens), 
and up to 50 of Northern Fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus), Harbor seals 
(Phoca vitulina), Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) are requested 
to be taken annually, per species, by incidental harassment. Finally, 
the applicant requests to transport up to 50 biological samples from 
each species group (pinniped and cetacean) for archived storage or 
analysis.
    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.

    Dated: November 13, 2014.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-27538 Filed 11-20-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P