[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 167 (Thursday, August 27, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52956-52957]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-18866]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XA424]


Marine Mammals; File No. 23644

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and

[[Page 52957]]

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Iain Kerr, Ocean Alliance, 32 
Horton Street, Gloucester, MA 01930, has applied in due form for a 
permit to conduct research on 22 cetacean species including endangered 
or threatened blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus), Gulf of Mexico 
Bryde's whales (B. edeni), fin whales (B. physalus), Hawaii insular 
false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens), humpback whales (Megaptera 
novaeangliae), North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis), sei 
whales (B. borealis), Southern right whales (E. australis), sperm 
whales (Physeter macrocephalus), and Western North Pacific gray whales 
(Eschrichtius robustus).

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before September 28, 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. 23644 from the list of available applications. These documents are 
also available upon written request via email to 
[email protected].
    Written comments on this application should be submitted via email 
to [email protected]. Please include File No. 23644 in the 
subject line of the email comment.
    Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a 
written request via email to [email protected]. 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 research for five years on 22 
cetacean species in U.S. and international waters of the North Atlantic 
and North Pacific Oceans. Research would be conducted for several 
cetacean studies including toxicology, microplastics, acoustics, and 
behavioral ecology. Researchers would conduct vessel and unmanned 
aircraft system surveys for biological sampling (skin and blubber 
biopsy, exhaled air, feces, and sloughed skin), counts, passive 
acoustics, photo-ID, photograph/video, observations, photogrammetry, 
and thermal imaging. Cetaceans also may be incidentally harassed during 
surveys when targeting another cetacean species or conspecifics. 
Samples collected on the high seas or in foreign territorial waters 
worldwide may be imported for study. Collected tissue samples also may 
be cultured for cell line development. Please see the application take 
tables for proposed take numbers by species.
    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 24, 2020.
Julia Marie Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-18866 Filed 8-26-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P