[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 150 (Monday, August 9, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43528-43529]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-16931]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XB303]


Marine Mammals; File No. 25563

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 the NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science 
Center, Marine Mammal Laboratory, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 
98115 (Responsible Party: John Bengtson), has applied in due form for a 
permit to conduct research on 20 species of marine mammals.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before September 8, 2021.

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. 25563 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. 25563 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, 
Ph.D., (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.), 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.).
    The applicant proposes to monitor cetacean population trends, 
abundance, distribution, and health in the North Pacific Ocean, the 
Bering, Beaufort, and Chukchi Seas, and Gulf of Maine. Researchers 
would study 20 species of cetaceans including endangered and threatened 
blue (Balaenoptera musculus), bowhead (Balaena mysticetus), Cook Inlet 
beluga (Delphinapterus leucas), fin (Balaenoptera physalus), gray 
(Eschrichtius robustus), humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), North 
Pacific right (Eubalaena japonica), sei (Balaenoptera borealis), 
Southern Resident killer (Orcinus orca), and sperm (Physeter 
macrocephalus) whales. Researchers would conduct vessel and aerial 
(crewed and uncrewed) surveys for observations, counts, photography/
videography (underwater, topside, and aerial), photogrammetry, photo-
identification, biological sampling (exhaled air, feces, blubber and 
skin, sloughed skin, eDNA, and prey remains), invasive and non-invasive 
tagging, and active acoustics. Biological samples collected on the high 
seas would be imported to the United States. Up to nine species of 
pinnipeds could be unintentionally harassed during surveys. See the 
take tables for specific numbers and life stages requested for each 
species. 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.


[[Page 43529]]


    Dated: August 3, 2021.
Amy Sloan,
Acting Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-16931 Filed 8-6-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P