[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 131 (Monday, July 9, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 31737]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-14676]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XG313


Marine Mammals; File No. 21585

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 Oregon State University, Marine 
Mammal Institute, 2030 Southeast Marine Science Drive, Newport, OR 
97365 (Responsible Party: Bruce Mate, Ph.D.), has applied in due form 
for a permit to conduct research on 67 species of marine mammals.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before August 8, 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. 21585 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 File No. 21585 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.), the 
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of 
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226), and the Fur 
Seal Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).
    The applicant requests a five-year research permit to: (1) 
Characterize the spatial and temporal distribution of cetaceans 
throughout their range, (2) identify migration routes, home ranges, 
habitats, and core areas of use, (3) characterize foraging behavior, 
(4) characterize ecological relationships to help explain movement 
patterns, and (5) opportunistically study pinnipeds encountered during 
cetacean studies to contribute knowledge of the species and document 
health concerns including human interactions. Research may occur in 
U.S. and international waters world-wide. Up to 67 species of marine 
mammals may be targeted including the following endangered or 
threatened species and stocks of cetaceans: Blue (Balaenoptera 
musculus), bowhead (Balaena mysticetes), Cook Inlet beluga 
(Delphinapterus leucas), fin (B. physalus), gray (Eschrichtius 
robustus), humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), Main Hawaiian Islands 
insular false killer (Pseudorca crassidens), North Pacific right 
(Eubalaena japonica), sei (B. borealis), Southern Resident killer 
(Orcinus orca), Southern right (E. australis), and sperm (Physeter 
macrocephalus) whales. Targeted cetaceans may be taken during vessel 
and manned aerial surveys for observation, photography, passive 
acoustic recording, echosounders for prey mapping, biological sampling 
(sloughed skin or skin and blubber biopsy), and fully-implantable 
tagging. See the application for complete numbers of animals requested 
by species and procedure.
    The following endangered or threatened species of pinnipeds may be 
harassed and opportunistically observed and photographed during 
surveys: Western Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus), and bearded 
(Erignathus barbatus), Guadalupe fur (Arctocephalus townsendi), 
Hawaiian monk (Neomonachus schauinslandi), ringed (Phoca hispida) and 
spotted (P. largha) seals.
    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: July 3, 2018.
Julia Marie Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-14676 Filed 7-6-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P