[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 167 (Monday, August 29, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 59192]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-20597]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE815


Marine Mammals; File Nos. 19315 and 19674

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of applications.

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

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Center for Coastal Studies, 
Right Whale Ecology Program, 5 Holway Avenue, P.O. Box 1036, 
Provincetown, MA 02657 [Responsible Party: Richard Delaney] and Scott 
Kraus, Ph.D., New England Aquarium, Edgerton Research Lab, Central 
Wharf, Boston MA 02110 have applied in due form for a permit to take 22 
species of cetaceans and pinnipeds, including endangered North Atlantic 
right (Eubalaena glacialis), humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), fin 
(Balaenoptera physalus), blue (B. musculus), sei (B. borealis), bowhead 
(Balaena mysticetus), and sperm (Physeter macrocephalus) whales, for 
purposes of scientific research.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before September 28, 2016.

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 Species 
(APPS) home page, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File 
No. 19315 (Center for Coastal Studies) or File No. 19674 (Kraus) 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. 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: Amy Hapeman or Sara Young, (301) 427-
8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permits are 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.), and the 
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of 
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226).
    File No. 19315: The applicant requests a five-year scientific 
research permit to monitor right whale demographics, life history 
traits, habitat use, and behavior in Atlantic coastal waters from the 
Mid-Atlantic Bight to the Gulf of Maine. Annually, up to 1,500 right 
whales would be approached by aircraft for photo-identification and 
behavioral observation; up to 700 right whales would be approached by 
vessel for these activities and prey mapping; and up to 10 whales would 
be suction-cup tagged. Opportunistic sighting data and photographs 
would be collected for bowhead whales and up to 20 other cetacean and 
pinniped species and unidentified dolphins and whales could be 
incidentally harassed and photographed annually during surveys.
    File No. 19674: Dr. Kraus requests a five-year scientific research 
permit to assess, quantify, and track trends in the demographic 
characteristics of right whales, and to identify, quantify and monitor 
the long term trends in anthropogenic impacts on the species. Up to 500 
right whales would be approached annually by vessel or aircraft for 
photo-identification, behavioral observation, and blow and fecal 
sampling; up to 50 additional non-neonate whales would be photographed 
and biopsy sampled annually. Biological samples from up to 50 whales 
could be received, imported or exported annually. During vessel surveys 
up to 20 animals of each species of humpback whales, fin whales, harbor 
porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) and Atlantic white-sided dolphins 
(Lagenorhynchus acutus) could be incidentally harassed annually.
    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 activities proposed are 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 applications to the Marine 
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.

    Dated: August 18, 2016.
Nicole R. Le Boeuf,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-20597 Filed 8-26-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P