[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 162 (Wednesday, August 25, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 47478]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-18274]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XB363]


Marine Mammals; File No. 25740

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 Center for Coastal Studies, 5 
Holway Avenue, P.O. Box 1036, Provincetown, MA 02657 (Responsible 
Party: Richard Delaney), has applied in due form for a permit to 
conduct research on 23 species of marine mammals.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before September 24, 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. 25740 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. 25740 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: Shasta McClenahan, Ph.D., or Amy 
Hapeman, (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 on North Atlantic right 
whales (Eubalaena glacialis; NARW) in U.S. and international waters of 
the North Atlantic Ocean. The objectives of the research are to collect 
data to inform the development and implementation of methods to 
mitigate the threat of entanglement, ship strike, and habitat 
degradation, and to collect basic data on NARW and their ecology. Four 
species of non-listed pinnipeds and 18 species of cetaceans may be 
unintentionally harassed and opportunistically studied during NARW 
research activities including endangered blue whales (Balaenoptera 
musculus); bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus); fin whales (B. 
physalus); sei whales (B. borealis); and sperm whales (Physeter 
microcephalus). Marine mammals may be taken during vessel and aerial 
surveys, including an unmanned aircraft system, for counts, photo-
identification, photography, videography, behavioral observations, 
collection of sloughed skin or feces, underwater photography, and 
zooplankton sampling. 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 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 19, 2021.
Julia Marie Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-18274 Filed 8-24-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P