[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 27 (Thursday, February 8, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5614-5615]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-02508]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF968


Marine Mammals; File No. 21371

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 the National Marine Fisheries 
Service's Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC), 166 Water Street, 
Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543 (Responsible Party: Jon Hare) has 
applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on marine mammals.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before March 12, 2018.

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. 21371 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 Carrie Hubard, 
(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

[[Page 5615]]

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).
    The applicant is requesting a research permit for 38 species of 
cetaceans including the following endangered species: Blue 
(Balaenoptera musculus), bowhead (Balaena mysticetus), fin (B. 
physalus), North Atlantic right (Eubalaena glacialis), sei (B. 
borealis), sperm (Physeter macrocephalus), and Western North Pacific 
gray (Eschrichtius robustus) whales. The research area will include 
U.S. waters in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean from Florida to Maine, and 
Canadian waters in the Bay of Fundy and Scotian Shelf. The objective of 
the research is to determine the abundance, distribution, movement 
patterns, dive behavior, demographic parameters, trends in recruitment, 
and stock structure of cetaceans in these waters. Research methods 
during vessel and aerial (manned and unmanned) surveys will include 
counts, surveys, behavioral observations, photo-identification, video 
recording, photogrammetry, passive acoustic recording, biological 
sampling (skin and blubber biopsy, feces, and exhaled air) and tagging 
(suction-cup and dart/barb tags). Receipt, import, and export of marine 
mammal parts would also be authorized for research purposes. Four 
species of non-ESA listed pinnipeds and four species of sea turtles may 
be harassed incidental to cetacean research. The permit would be valid 
for a period of five years.
    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: February 5, 2018.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-02508 Filed 2-7-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P