[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 49 (Monday, March 14, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13342-13343]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-05614]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE075


Marine Mammals; File No. 18636

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 Iain 
Kerr, D.H.L., Ocean Alliance, 32 Horton Street, Gloucester, MA 01930 to 
conduct research on 15 species of whales, including endangered sperm 
(Physeter macrocephalus), southern right (Eubalaena australis), blue 
(Balaenoptera musculus), fin (B. physalus), humpback (Megaptera 
novaeangliae), and sei (B. borealis) whales.

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: Amy Hapeman or Amy Sloan, (301) 427-
8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 27, 2015, notice was published in 
the Federal Register (80 FR 52035) that a request for a permit to 
conduct research on the species identified above 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).
    Mr. Kerr has been issued a permit to conduct research on cetaceans 
in U.S. waters and the high seas of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian 
Oceans to determine how environmental toxicants

[[Page 13343]]

affect cetaceans and vary spatially and temporally across species; and 
to determine the route of exposure. Authorized research includes vessel 
surveys targeting live cetaceans; tissue collection of dead, stranded 
cetaceans; cell line development of tissue samples; and the import/
export/receipt of biological samples collected in foreign waters/
countries. Research activities on live animals include recordings and 
observations, biological sampling that includes use of an unmanned 
aircraft system, tracking, and incidental harassment during vessel 
surveys. The permit is valid through February 28, 2021.
    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: March 8, 2016.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-05614 Filed 3-11-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P