[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 187 (Thursday, September 30, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 54251]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-21201]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Permit Applications Received Under the Antarctic 
Conservation Act of 1978

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice of permit applications received.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is required to publish a 
notice of permit applications received to conduct activities regulated 
under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978. NSF has published 
regulations under the Antarctic Conservation Act in the Code of Federal 
Regulations. This is the required notice of permit applications 
received.

DATES: Interested parties are invited to submit written data, comments, 
or views with respect to this permit application by November 1, 2021. 
This application may be inspected by interested parties at the Permit 
Office, address below.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to Permit Office, Office of 
Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, 
Alexandria, Virginia 22314 or [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Polly Penhale, ACA Permit Officer, at 
the above address, 703-292-8030.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Science Foundation, as directed 
by the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 (Publ. L. 95-541, 45 CFR 
671), as amended by the Antarctic Science, Tourism and Conservation Act 
of 1996, has developed regulations for the establishment of a permit 
system for various activities in Antarctica and designation of certain 
animals and certain geographic areas as requiring special protection. 
The regulations establish such a permit system to designate Antarctic 
Specially Protected Areas.

Application Details

Permit Application: 2022-010

    1. Applicant: Dr. John Durban, 446 Harbor Vista Drive Friday 
Harbor, WA 98250.
    Activity for Which Permit Is Requested: Take, Import into the 
U.S.A. The Applicant seeks an Antarctic Conservation Act permit for 
continued research activities studying the health of whale populations 
in the Southern Ocean and impacts of environmental changes on Antarctic 
marine ecosystems. The applicant will use aerial photogrammetry to 
collect data on whale morphometrics and health. The applicant proposes 
to use unoccupied aerial systems (UAS), particularly small, radio-
controlled hexacopters, for aerial photogrammetry, and to use handheld 
cameras for photo-identification. The hexacopters will be flown greater 
than 100 ft above the whales for identification and assessment 
purposes. The applicant also proposes use of the UAS to collect 
respiratory (blow) samples of commonly encountered whales to aid in 
understanding of cetacean microbiomes and respiratory health. This data 
will be supplemented by the collection of remote biopsy samples of 
whale skin and blubber, which will provide more detailed information on 
cetacean diet and contribute to genetic understanding of whale 
populations in the Southern Ocean. Additionally, opportunistic samples 
of dead marine mammals may be salvaged by the applicant to further 
understanding of killer whale diet and ecology. Samples will be 
imported into the United States for analysis and ultimate disposition 
at the Southwest Fisheries Science Center.
    Location: Antarctic Peninsula Region, Southern Ross Sea region.
    Dates of Permitted Activities: December 1, 2021-April 30, 2026.

Erika N. Davis,
Program Specialist, Office of Polar Programs.
[FR Doc. 2021-21201 Filed 9-29-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P