[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 159 (Thursday, August 16, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40755-40756]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-17695]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XG344


Marine Mammals; File No. 21938

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 NMFS Southeast Fisheries 
Science Center (SEFSC), 75 Virginia Beach Drive, Miami, FL 33149 
(Responsible Party: Theophilus Brainerd, Ph.D.), has applied in due 
form for a permit to conduct research on up to 33 species of cetaceans.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before September 17, 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. 21938 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. 21938 
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 Jennifer 
Skidmore, (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.), and the 
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of 
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226).
    The SEFSC is requesting a five-year permit to conduct cetacean 
research in U.S. and international waters of the western North Atlantic 
Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea. The

[[Page 40756]]

objectives of the research are to meet the mandates of the MMPA and ESA 
through the study of cetaceans: (1) Stock structure, size estimates, 
habitat, and geographic range; (2) movement, ranging patterns, and 
diving behavior; (3) vocalization patterns and the ambient acoustic 
environment; (4) reproductive status; (5) types and origin of prey; (6) 
levels of anthropogenic chemical contaminants, and (7) behaviors to 
certain anthropogenic activities. Up to 33 species of cetaceans may be 
taken during research including the following ESA-listed species: Blue 
(Balaenoptera musculus), fin (B. physalus), Gulf of Mexico Bryde's (B. 
edeni), North Atlantic right (Eubalaena glacialis), sei (B. borealis), 
and sperm (Physeter microcephalus) whales. Cetaceans may be taken 
during vessel and aerial surveys, including unmanned aircraft systems 
for photo-identification, photogrammetry, above and underwater 
photography and videography, behavioral observations, passive acoustic 
recordings, biological sampling (exhaled air, feces, sloughed skin, and 
skin and blubber biopsies), and tagging (suction-cup, dart/barb, and 
fully-implantable tags). Annual take numbers by species and procedure 
can be found in the take table of the application.
    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: August 13, 2018.
Julia Marie Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-17695 Filed 8-15-18; 8:45 am]
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