[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 70 (Friday, April 10, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 20251]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-07598]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XA106]
Marine Mammals; File No. 23078
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 Marilyn Mazzoil, Dolphin Census
Inc., 9611 U.S. Highway 1, #382, Sebastian, FL 32958, has applied in
due form for a permit to conduct research on bottlenose dolphins
(Tursiops truncatus).
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or
before May 11, 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. 23078 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 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.) and the regulations governing the taking
and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
The applicant proposes to study bottlenose dolphins in the inland
waters, nearshore coastal waterways, and offshore waters of Southern
Georgia and Florida's east coast. Up to 15,000 dolphins may be harassed
annually during vessel surveys, unmanned aircraft flights, photo-
identification, photogrammetry, and behavioral observations. Annually,
120 dolphins may be breath sampled using a pole and 156 dolphins may be
biopsy sampled. The objectives of the research are to: (1) Understand
stock structure and behavior, (2) estimate population trajectory, (3)
evaluate health and nutrition, (4) increase knowledge of the role of an
apex predator in ecological function and (5) identify and mitigate
direct human threats. 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: April 3, 2020.
Julia Marie Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-07598 Filed 4-9-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P