[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 73 (Tuesday, April 16, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 15598]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-07536]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XG854


Marine Mammals; File No. 22750

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 Rachel Cartwright, Ph.D., Keiki 
Kohola Project, 1330 Sabal Lakes Road, Delray Beach, FL 33445, 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 May 16, 2019.

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. 22750 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; 
phone: (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 applicant requests a five-year research permit to (1) monitor 
and describe relative abundance and patterns of habitat use for mother-
calf humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) pairs, (2) establish 
baseline health indicators for maternal humpback whales, (3) provide 
estimates of humpback calf survival rates, and (4) collect 
opportunistic data on marine mammals associated with or in overlapping 
areas with humpback whales. Up to 12 species of marine mammals may be 
taken during research including the following ESA-listed species: blue 
(Balaenoptera musculus), Hawaiian insular false killer (Pseudorca 
crassidens), and humpback whales. Research may occur year-round in the 
U.S. waters of Hawaii, California, and Alaska. Research may include 
vessel surveys and unmanned aircraft systems for counts, observations, 
photogrammetry, above water and underwater photography and video 
recording, and exhaled air sampling. See the application for complete 
numbers of animals requested by species and procedure.
    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: April 11, 2019.
Amy Sloan,
Acting Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-07536 Filed 4-15-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P