[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 246 (Monday, December 23, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 70501]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-27569]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XR002


Marine Mammals; File No. 22156

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 Douglas Nowacek, Ph.D., Nicholas 
School of the Environment, Duke University Marine Laboratory, 135 Duke 
Marine Lab Rd, Beaufort, NC 28516, has applied in due form for a permit 
to conduct research on and import specimens of 31 cetacean species for 
scientific research.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before January 22, 2020.

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. 22156 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: Amy Hapeman or Shasta McClenahan, 
(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 proposes to conduct a five-year research program on 
31 species of cetaceans in U.S. and international waters of the North 
Atlantic Ocean. Species include endangered blue (Balaenoptera 
musculus), fin (B. physalus), sei (B. borealis), and sperm (Physeter 
macrocephalus) whales. The purpose of the research is to study 
variation in cetacean behavior, foraging ecology, body condition, 
health status, population structure, and use of and response to sounds. 
Researchers would conduct surveys by vessel and an unmanned aircraft 
system to approach, count, observe, photograph, remotely measure, and 
track cetaceans. During surveys, researchers may conduct acoustic 
playback trials in the presence of animals, collect biological samples, 
and tag animals, with some species receiving two tags at a time. Non-
target cetaceans in the vicinity of research could be incidentally 
harassed. See the application for take numbers by species. Biological 
samples collected in international waters would be imported into the 
United States and cell lines may be developed from tissue samples.
    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: December 17, 2019.
Julia Marie Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-27569 Filed 12-20-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P