[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 3 (Wednesday, January 6, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 463]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-33183]


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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; issuance of permit.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that a permit has been issued to Briana 
Witteveen, Ph.D., University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Kodiak Seafood and 
Marine Science Center, 118 Trident Way, Kodiak, AK, 99615, to conduct 
research on humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae); killer (Orcinus orca); 
gray (Eschrichtius robustus); North Pacific Right (Eubaelana japonica); 
fin (Balaenoptera physalus); sei (B. borealis); minke whales (B. 
acutorostrata); blue (B. musculus); and sperm whales (Physeter 
macrocephalus). Additionally, harbor (Phocoena phocoena) and Dall's 
porpoises (P. dalli), Pacific white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus 
obliquidens), Northern fur (Callorhinus ursinus) and harbor seals 
(Phoca vitulina), and Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) may be 
incidentally harassed.

ADDRESSES: The permit 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; phone (301) 427-8401; fax (301) 
713-0376.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Skidmore or Courtney Smith, 
(301) 427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 21, 2014, notice was published 
in the Federal Register (79 FR 69432) that a request for a permit to 
conduct research on the above listed species 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.), and the 
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of 
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226).
    The permit authorizes non-lethal take using vessels to: Collect 
identification photographs; record vocalizations; conduct biopsy 
sampling; collect prey parts and sloughed skin; attach suction-cup 
tags; and document behavioral response to acoustic deterrents. Research 
may occur 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. The permit is valid through December 1, 2020.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), a final determination has been made that the 
activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to 
prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.
    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.

    Dated: December 29, 2015.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-33183 Filed 1-5-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P