[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 206 (Tuesday, October 25, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 73381]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-25756]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE938


Marine Mammals; File No. 20430

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 James Harvey, Ph.D., Moss Landing 
Marine Laboratories, 8272 Moss Landing Road, Moss Landing, California 
95039, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on blue 
(Balaenoptera musculus), fin (B. physalus), humpback (Megaptera 
novaeangliae), gray (Eschrichtius robustus), and sperm (Physeter 
microcephalus) whales, and Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus).

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before November 25, 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. 20430 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: Shasta McClenahan or Amy Hapeman, 
(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.), and the 
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of 
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR 222-226).
    The applicant is requesting a five-year permit to conduct research 
on large whales and dolphins in California waters. The primary 
objectives of this research project are to: (1) Relate distribution and 
abundance of cetaceans with environmental factors, (2) determine diet 
and foraging behaviors as they exploit prey resources, (3) determine 
types of acoustic behavior of marine mammals and how acoustic signals 
are affected by anthropogenic factors, and (4) determine the movements 
of individuals or pods during migrations or within their home range. 
Research activities for large whales will include passive acoustics, 
behavioral observations, photography, video recording, biopsy sampling, 
collection of sloughed skin, attachment of suction cup or dart/barb 
tags, and tracking during vessel surveys. Research for Risso's dolphins 
will include passive acoustics, behavioral observations, and photo-
identification. The number of species to be taken annually via tagging/
biopsy/photo-identification are: 50/100/150 blue whales, 40/90/140 fin 
whales, 50/100/150 humpback whales, 160/210/260 gray whales, and 0/0/
2,000 Risso's dolphins. Up to five sperm whales may be incidentally 
harassed and opportunistically photographed, annually. Up to 200 
California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), 20 harbor seals (Phoca 
vitulina richardii), 50 Pacific white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus 
obliquidens), 20 northern right whale dolphins (Lissodelphis borealis), 
10 harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), and 20 short-beaked common 
dolphins (Delphinus delphis) may be harassed incidental to research 
activities.
    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: October 20, 2016.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-25756 Filed 10-24-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P