[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 224 (Monday, November 21, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 83204-83205]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-27860]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA774, 0648-XA806, and 0648-XE766


Marine Mammals and Endangered Species; File Nos. 13927, 16553, 
and 20532

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

ACTION: Notice; issuance of permits.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that permits or permit amendments have 
been issued to the following entities:

    Permit No. 13927-03: James H.W. Hain, Ph.D., Associated Scientists 
at Woods Hole, Box 721, Woods Hole, MA 02543;

    Permit No. 16553-01: Brent Stewart, Ph.D., J.D., Hubbs SeaWorld 
Research Institute, 2595 Ingraham Street, San Diego, CA 92109; and

    Permit No. 20532: Stephen John Trumble, Ph.D., Baylor University, 
101 Bagby Ave., Waco, TX 76706.

ADDRESSES: The permits 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: Carrie Hubard (File Nos. 13927-03, 
16553-01) and Shasta McClenahan or Jennifer Skidmore (File No. 20532) 
at (301) 427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Requests for a permit or permit amendment 
had been submitted by the above-named applicants. The requested permits 
have been issued under 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), as 
applicable.

    Permit No. 13927-03: The original permit (No. 13927), issued on 
October 19, 2011 (76 FR 67151, October 31, 2016) authorized Dr. Hain to 
conduct aerial and vessel surveys to study North Atlantic right whales 
(Eubalaena glacialis). Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), 
bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and Atlantic spotted dolphins 
(Stenella frontalis) may be incidentally harassed. Research may occur 
annually, December through April off the U.S. southeast coast. Two 
subsequent amendments (13927-01 issued January 13, 2013 and 13927-02 
issued December 1, 2015) increased the number of North Atlantic right 
whale takes and added unmanned aircraft systems, respectively. The 
minor amendment (No. 13927-03) extends the duration of the permit 
through October 31, 2017, but does not change any other terms or 
conditions of the permit.

    Permit No. 16553-01: The original permit (No. 16553), issued on 
October

[[Page 83205]]

24, 2011 (76 FR 68719, November 7, 2011) authorized Dr. Stewart to 
continue a long term study on pinnipeds in California. California sea 
lions (Zalophus californianus), northern elephant seals (Mirounga 
angustirostris), and harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) may be captured and 
sampled at several sites: San Nicolas Island, San Miguel Island, Santa 
Rosa Island, Santa Cruz Island, Piedras Blancas, Cape San Martin, and 
Gorda. The minor amendment (No. 16553-01) extends the duration of the 
permit through October 31, 2017, but does not change any other terms or 
conditions of the permit.

    Permit No. 20532: The requested permit (81 FR 59190, August 29, 
2016) authorizes receipt, import, and export of biological samples from 
museum holdings and stranded animals worldwide for scientific research 
to chronologically profile anthropogenic and physiological data 
including hormones and pesticides to record exposure and stress. 
Samples will be from blue (Balaenoptera musculus), gray (Eschrichtius 
robustus), fin (B. physalus), minke (B. acutorostrata), bowhead 
(Balaena mysticetus), humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), and sperm 
whales (Physeter macrocephalus). Samples may also be obtained from 
subsistence hunted bowhead whales in Alaska. The permit is valid 
through November 1, 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 
activities proposed are categorically excluded from the requirement to 
prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.
    As required by the ESA, as applicable, issuance of these permits 
was based on a finding that such permits: (1) Were applied for in good 
faith; (2) will not operate to the disadvantage of such endangered 
species; and (3) are consistent with the purposes and policies set 
forth in section 2 of the ESA.

    Dated: November 15, 2016.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-27860 Filed 11-18-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P