[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 145 (Friday, July 27, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 35621]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-16057]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XG320


Marine Mammals; File No. 21678

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 John Calambokidis, Cascadia 
Research Collective, Waterstreet Building Suite 201, 218\1/2\ West 
Fourth Ave., Olympia, WA 98501, 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 August 27, 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. 21678 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: Carrie Hubard or Sara Young, (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 proposes to continue long-term studies of marine 
mammals in the eastern North Pacific. Research would be conducted 
primarily along the west coast of the United States from the Mexico 
border to Canada, but may also occur in Alaskan waters and 
international waters of the Pacific Ocean. Twenty-four cetacean species 
would be studied, including these listed as endangered or threatened: 
Blue (Balaenoptera musculus), fin (B. physalus), humpback (Megaptera 
novaeangliae), Eastern North Pacific Southern Resident killer (Orcinus 
orca), North Pacific right (Eubalaena japonica), sei (B. borealis), and 
sperm (Physeter macrocephalus) whales. Research methods vary by 
species, but would include vessel surveys, aerial surveys, unmanned 
aircraft systems (UAS), photo-identification, behavioral observations, 
passive acoustic recordings, underwater photography, sampling (breath, 
skin, feces, skin/blubber), prey mapping, and suction cup and dart 
tagging. Five species of pinnipeds, including Steller sea lions 
(Eumetopias jubatus) would also be studied, primarily at haul out areas 
in Puget Sound, WA. Seals and sea lions may be disturbed during 
abundance counts, scat collection, and UAS flights. The research would 
examine population size and trends, habitat use, social structure, 
range, movement patterns and rates, diving behavior, diet, ecology, 
behavior and the impacts of human activities on marine mammals. The 
permit would be valid for 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: July 24, 2018.
Julia Marie Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-16057 Filed 7-26-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P