[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 17, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4860-4861]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-00807]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF154


Marine Mammals; File Nos. 19703 and 20993

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of applications.

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

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Fred Sharpe, Ph.D., Alaska Whale 
Foundation, 4739 University Way NE., #1230, Seattle, WA 98105 (File No. 
19703) has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on 
cetaceans and Christopher Cilfone, Be Blue, 2569 Douglas Hwy. Unit 1, 
Juneau, AK 99801 (File No. 20993) has applied in due form to conduct 
commercial/educational photography on humpback whales (Megaptera 
novaeangliae).

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before February 16, 2017.

ADDRESSES: The application and related documents for File No. 19703 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. 19703 from the list of available applications.
    Documents for File No. 19703 and 20993 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 these applications should be submitted to the 
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, at the address listed above.

[[Page 4861]]

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 the application would be appropriate.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carrie Hubard or Shasta McClenahan, 
(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 222-226).
    Dr. Sharpe (File No. 19703) proposes to study humpback and killer 
(Orcinus orca) whales in Alaska using both vessel and aerial surveys 
and a variety of methods including photo-identification, passive and 
active acoustics, underwater video/photography, unmanned aircraft 
systems, prey mapping, and suction-cup tagging. The purpose of the 
research is to continue a long-term study of the behavior of Alaskan 
humpback whales, focusing on social structure, vocalizations, and 
feeding. Forty harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena), 50 Dall's 
porpoises (Phocoenoides dalli), 130 harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), and 
80 Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) may be incidentally harassed 
during research activities. The permit would be valid for five years.
    Mr. Cilfone (File No. 20993) proposes to film humpback whales in 
Hawaiian waters of the Maui Nui Basin. Footage would be used to create 
a film about humpback whales and their conservation success that would 
be available on multiple platforms. Boats, unmanned aircraft systems, 
pole cameras, and snorkelers would all be used to get footage. Fifty 
humpback whales would be approached annually. In addition, pantropical 
spotted (Stenella attenuata), spinner (S. longirostris), and bottlenose 
(Tursiops truncatus) dolphins may be incidentally harassed during 
filming operations. Filming would occur in winter and spring and the 
permit would be valid until May 2017.
    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: January 10, 2017.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-00807 Filed 1-13-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P