[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 204 (Tuesday, October 22, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 56477]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-22982]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Permit Applications Received Under the Antarctic 
Conservation Act of 1978

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice of permit applications received.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is required to publish a 
notice of permit applications received to conduct activities regulated 
under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978. NSF has published 
regulations under the Antarctic Conservation Act in the Code of Federal 
Regulations. This is the required notice of permit applications 
received.

DATES: Interested parties are invited to submit written data, comments, 
or views with respect to this permit application by November 21, 2019. 
This application may be inspected by interested parties at the Permit 
Office, address below.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to Permit Office, Office of 
Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, 
Alexandria, Virginia 22314.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nature McGinn, ACA Permit Officer, at 
the above address, 703-292-8030, or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Science Foundation, as directed 
by the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 (Pub. L. 95-541, 45 CFR 670), 
as amended by the Antarctic Science, Tourism and Conservation Act of 
1996, has developed regulations for the establishment of a permit 
system for various activities in Antarctica and designation of certain 
animals and certain geographic areas a requiring special protection. 
The regulations establish such a permit system to designate Antarctic 
Specially Protected Areas.

Application Details

Permit Application: 2020-016

1. Applicant Ari Friedlaender, UC Santa Cruz, Institute of Marine 
Sciences, 115 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 96050.
    Activity for Which Permit is Requested: Take, Harmful Interference, 
Import into USA, Enter Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPAs). The 
applicant proposes to engage in research activities to understand the 
population demography, health, behavior, and ecology of cetaceans, 
pinnipeds, and seabirds in the Antarctic Peninsula region. To study 
these species, the applicant and agents would assess body condition, 
health, behavior, and distribution using remotely piloted aircraft 
systems (RPAS). Population demography and growth rates of cetaceans 
would be evaluated from remote biopsy samples that would be imported to 
the US for analysis. Behavior and ecology of individual whales would be 
studied using multi-sensor suction cup tags that collect high-
resolution behavioral information for 1-2 days, dart/barb tags that to 
collect spatial and dive data for up to one month, and implantable tags 
that collect movement and behavioral data on individual whales for 
months. The applicant and agents would biopsy, tag, and operate RPAS 
over humpback whales, Antarctic minke whales, blue whales, fin whales, 
sei whales, southern right whales, killer whales, and Arnoux's beaked 
whales. The applicant and agents would also operate RPAS over Antarctic 
fur seals, crabeater seals, leopard seals, Weddell seals, elephant 
seals, Adelie penguins, gentoo penguins, chinstrap penguins, brown 
skua, south polar skua, giant petrel, kelp gull, blue-eyed shag, and 
snowy sheathbill. In order to capture imagery of some seals and seabird 
species, the applicant and agents would enter the ASPA 117, Avian 
Island. The proposed research focusing on cetaceans requires a permit 
under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The proposed research on 
pinnipeds would be authorized by a Letter of Confirmation issued by the 
National Marine Fisheries Service (expiry date: November 15, 2022).
    Location: Antarctic Peninsula region.
    Dates of Permitted Activities: November 1, 2019--October 31, 2024.

Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2019-22982 Filed 10-21-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7555-01-P