[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 37 (Friday, February 26, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11729-11730]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-04055]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XA897]


Marine Mammals; File Nos. 22306, 23675, 24334, and 24378

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice; receipt of applications.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that four applicants have applied in 
due form for a permit to conduct scientific research on 58 species of 
marine mammals. The species taken during research activities may 
include the following endangered or threatened cetaceans: Beluga whale 
(Delphinapterus leucas); blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus); bowhead 
whale (Balaena mysticetus); fin whale (B. physalus); gray whale 
(Eschrichtius robustus); humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae); 
killer whale (Orcinus orca); North Pacific right whale (Eubalaena 
japonica); sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis); sperm whale (Physeter 
microcephalus); and Southern right whale (E. australis); and the 
following endangered or threatened pinnipeds: Bearded seal (Erignathus 
barbatus); Guadalupe fur seal (Arctocephalus townsendi); ringed seal 
(Phoca hispida spp.); and Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus). See 
the applications for a complete list of species by stock or listing 
unit.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before March 29, 2021.

ADDRESSES: The applications 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 
applicable File No. from the list of available applications. These 
documents are also available upon written request via email to 
[email protected].
    Written comments on these applications should be submitted via 
email to [email protected]. Please include File No. 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 the application 
would be appropriate.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shasta McClenahan, Ph.D. (File Nos. 
22306 and 23675), Amy Hapeman (File No. 24334), or Courtney Smith, 
Ph.D. (File No. 24378), (301) 427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permits are 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.), the 
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of 
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226), and the Fur 
Seal Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).
    File No. 22306: NMFS, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, 8901 La 
Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla, California 92037, (Responsible Party: 
David Weller, Ph.D.), proposes to conduct research on 48 species of 
cetaceans and 6 species of pinnipeds in U.S. and international waters 
of the Pacific and Southern Oceans. The objectives of the research are 
to monitor and understand trends and population dynamics of marine 
mammals by collecting data on abundance, distribution, density, 
survival, immigration/emigration, reproduction, health and condition, 
movement patterns, dive behavior, acoustics, demography and stock 
structure. Cetaceans may be taken during vessel and aerial surveys, 
including unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), for counts, photo-
identification, photography, videography, photogrammetry, behavioral 
observations, passive acoustic recordings, biological sampling (exhaled 
air, feces, sloughed skin, and skin and blubber biopsies), and tagging 
(suction-cup and dart/barb). Pinnipeds may be taken during manned and 
unmanned aerial and ground surveys for counts, photo-identification, 
photography, videography, photogrammetry, and collection of scat and 
spew. Marine mammal parts may also be imported, exported, salvaged, or 
received for analysis and curation. See the application for complete 
numbers of animals requested by species, life stage, and procedure. The 
permit is requested for five years.
    File No. 23675: Brianna Witteveen, Ph.D., University of Alaska 
Fairbanks, 118 Trident Way, Kodiak, AK 99615, proposes to conduct 
research in the North Pacific Ocean in Alaska focusing on nine cetacean 
species. The objectives of the research are to advance knowledge and 
improve understanding of the foraging behavior, prey use, and habitat 
overlap among sympatric cetaceans throughout their habitat. Cetaceans 
may be taken during vessel surveys for photo-identification, behavioral 
observations, active acoustic sonar for prey mapping, biological 
sampling (feces, sloughed skin, predation remains, and skin and blubber 
biopsies), and suction-cup tagging. Six additional marine mammal 
species may be unintentionally harassed during research targeting 
cetaceans. See the application for complete numbers of animals 
requested by species, life stage, and procedure. The permit is 
requested for 5 years.
    File No. 24334: Alaska Department of Fish and Game, P.O. Box 25526, 
Juneau, AK 99802, (Responsible Party: Lori Quakenbush, Ph.D.) proposes 
to conduct research on five whale species in the Bering, Chukchi, and 
Beaufort seas (U.S. and international waters) adjacent to Alaska. 
Research topics would include movements, habitat use, migration routes, 
body condition, predation, stock structure, population abundance, 
behavior relative to feeding, social interactions, human disturbance, 
and social structure. Researchers would conduct vessel surveys for 
tagging (dart/barb, deep implant, suction cup, or dorsal ridge 
attachments depending on species), biopsy sampling, photo-
identification, and UAS surveys for all species. The applicant also 
requests to conduct manned aerial surveys and captures for tagging with 
biological sample collection of four beluga whale stocks. The applicant 
also requests

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export and import of skin and blubber for the target species. Non-
target seals and beluga whales may be unintentionally harassed, and 
seals may be incidentally captured during research activities. Up to 
three unintentional beluga mortalities may occur during captures over 
the duration of the permit. See the application for complete numbers of 
animals requested by species, life stage, and procedure. The permit is 
requested for 5 years.
    File No. 24378: The University of Alaska Southeast, 1332 Seward 
Ave, Sitka, AK 99835 (Responsible Party: Jan Straley) proposes to 
conduct research on 18 species of cetaceans in Alaska, focusing on 
three species of large whales. The objective of the research is to 
further the biological understanding of Alaskan cetaceans by evaluating 
species abundance, population and stock structure, life history 
parameters, foraging behavior and prey specialization, social behavior, 
seasonal movements and migrations, and depredation interactions with 
longline fishing vessels. Research methods include close approach by 
vessels and UAS to conduct photo-identification, behavioral 
observations, underwater photography/video, active acoustic sonar for 
prey mapping, tagging (suction-cup and dart/barb), biological sampling 
(prey samples, exhaled air, sloughed skin, feces), and collection of 
water samples for environmental DNA (eDNA). Some marine mammal parts 
may be exported for analysis. See the application for complete numbers 
of animals requested by species, life stage, and procedure. The permit 
is requested for 5 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 proposed activities are 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: February 23, 2021.
Amy Sloan,
Acting Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-04055 Filed 2-25-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P