[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 14 (Friday, January 21, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3281-3283]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-00496]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XB707]


Marine Mammals; Issuance of Permits

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

ACTION: Notice; issuance of permits.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that individuals and institutions have 
been issued Letters of Confirmation (LOCs) for activities conducted 
under the General Authorization for Scientific Research on marine 
mammals. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for a list of names and 
addresses of recipients.

ADDRESSES: The LOCs and related documents are available for review upon 
written request via email to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Hapeman (LOC Nos. 24033, 25471, 
25529, and 25638), Carrie Hubard (LOC Nos. 20346, 24045, 24067, 25527, 
and 25574), Erin Markin (LOC No. 23796), Shasta McClenahan, Ph.D. (LOC 
No. 23069), Courtney Smith, Ph.D. (LOC Nos. 19540 and 22587), and Sara 
Young (LOC Nos. 20386, 25751 and 25811) at the email listed above or 
301-427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The requested LOCs have been issued under 
the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended 
(16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), and the regulations governing the taking and 
importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216). The General 
Authorization allows for bona fide scientific research that may result 
only in taking by Level B harassment of marine mammals. The following 
LOCs were issued in Fiscal Year 2021 (October 1, 2020-September 30, 
2021).
    File No. 24033: Issued to Eric Montie, Ph.D., University of South 
Carolina Beaufort, One University Boulevard, Bluffton, South Carolina 
29909, on October 23, 2020. This LOC authorizes vessel-based surveys 
for behavioral observations, photo-identification, passive acoustics, 
and photography/videography of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) 
in the coastal waters of Bluffton and Hilton Head, South Carolina. The 
objectives of the research are to better understand the acoustic 
ecology of bottlenose dolphins and their prey and to estimate the 
carrying capacity of bottlenose dolphins in South Carolina and its 
relation to water quality. The LOC replaces No. 20066 on April 1, 2021 
and expires on March 31, 2026.
    File No. 24067: Issued to Jacqueline Bucsa, George Mason 
University, 1450 Exploratory Hall, Fairfax, Virginia 22030, on January 
28, 2021. This LOC authorizes vessel-based surveys for behavioral 
observations and photo-identification of bottlenose dolphins in the 
lower Chesapeake Bay and coastal waters of Virginia. The objectives of 
the research are to develop an understanding of prey selection by 
bottlenose dolphins, specifically mother-calf pairs, and to examine how 
they meet their unique, high energy demands. The LOC expires on January 
31, 2023.
    File No. 24045: Issued to Jeremy Kiszka, Ph.D., Florida 
International University, 3000 NE 151st Street, Marine Science 
Building, Room 250D, North Miami, Florida 33181 on February 10, 2021. 
This LOC authorizes vessel-based surveys for photo-identification, 
photography, videography, and behavioral observations of bottlenose and 
Atlantic spotted (Stenella frontalis) dolphins. Research may occur in 
Biscayne Bay and coastal waters of Broward and Miami Dade counties, 
Florida out to 200 m depth. The objectives of the research are to 
examine the distribution, behavior and abundance of dolphins in the 
study area. The LOC expires on February 10, 2024.
    File No. 23069: Issued to Florida Atlantic University's Harbor 
Branch Oceanographic Institute, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, Florida 
33431 (Responsible Party [RP]: Daniel Flynn, Ph.D.; Principal 
Investigator [PI]: Steven Burton) on March 16, 2021. This LOC 
authorizes monthly vessel-based photo-identification and observational 
surveys of cetaceans in Florida for research projects involving 
cetacean biology, ecology, behavior, social structure, health, and 
anthropogenic activities. The authorized research area includes 
intercoastal and coastal waters of Florida from Sebastian Inlet to 
Jupiter Inlet, including the Indian River Lagoon and the Atlantic 
Ocean. Authorized species include Atlantic spotted, bottlenose, 
pantropical spotted (Stenella attenuata), Risso's (Grampus griseus), 
and rough-toothed (Steno bredanensis) dolphins; and humpback (Megaptera 
novaeangliae), long-finned pilot (Globicephala macrorhynchus), pygmy

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sperm (Kogia breviceps), and short-finned pilot (G. melas) whales. The 
LOC expires on March 31, 2026.
    File No. 23796: Issued to Quincy Gibson, Ph.D., University of North 
Florida, 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville, Florida 32266, on March 17, 2021. 
This LOC authorizes vessel-based research surveys to include close 
approach, photo-identification, behavioral observations, videography, 
passive acoustic recording, and focal follows of bottlenose dolphins 
within estuarine waters of Northeast Florida. Specifically, the 
authorized area includes the inland waterways of the St. Johns River 
from the river mouth at Mayport to approximately 40 kilometers upriver 
to Hart Bridge and the Intracoastal Waterway from the Florida-Georgia 
border at St. Mary's Inlet south to Palm Valley Bridge in Ponte Vedra, 
Florida. The objective of the research is to continue a 10-year photo-
identification study of bottlenose dolphins, focusing on biology, 
ecology, behavior, social structure, and health. The LOC expires on 
March 31, 2026.
    File No. 20386: This LOC, held by Golden Gate Cetacean Research, 9 
Edgemar Way, Corte Madera, California 94925 (RP: William Keener, J.D.; 
PI: Isidore Szczepaniak), was extended on March 30, 2021, for one year. 
The LOC authorizes vessel surveys for close-approach, photo-
identification, and behavioral observations of harbor porpoises 
(Phocoena phocoena) and bottlenose dolphins in Monterey Bay through 
northern California waters, including San Francisco Bay, and Kachemak 
Bay, Alaska. The purpose of the research is to collect photographic and 
observational data on the distribution and occurrence of harbor 
porpoise in San Francisco Bay and to track the movements of California 
coastal bottlenose dolphins to the northern limits of their range, as 
well as conduct a comparative study with harbor porpoises in Kachemak 
Bay, Alaska. The objectives of the research will not change. The 
extended LOC expires on July 31, 2022.
    File No. 25471: Issued to Andrew Read, Ph.D., Duke University, 135 
Duke Marine Lab Rd., Beaufort, NC 28516, on April 02, 2021. This LOC 
authorizes vessel-based surveys for close approach, photo-
identification, behavioral observations, and focal follows for 22 
species of cetaceans: Atlantic spotted, bottlenose, clymene (Stenella 
clymene), common short-beaked (Delphinus delphis), Fraser's 
(Lagenodelphis hosei), pantropical spotted, rough-toothed, Risso's, 
rough-toothed, spinner (Stenella longirostris), and striped (Stenella 
coeruleoalba) dolphins; harbor porpoise; Cuvier's (Ziphius cavirostris) 
and Mesoplodon spp. beaked whales; dwarf (Kogia sima) and pygmy (Kogia 
breviceps) sperm whales; and false killer (Pseudorca crassidens), 
killer (Orcinus orca), melon-headed (Peponocephala electra), minke 
whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), pygmy killer (Feresa attenuata), 
and short- and long-finned pilot whales. Research may occur in waters 
off the Florida/Georgia border, the South Carolina/North Carolina 
border, and from Cape Hatteras, North Carolina up to Norfolk Canyon, 
Virginia. The objective of the research is to provide baseline data on 
the density, abundance, distribution, behavior and seasonal movements 
of cetaceans. The LOC replaces No. 19903 on May 1, 2021 and expires on 
April 30, 2026.
    File No. 25529: Issued to Maddalena Bearzi, Ph.D., Ocean 
Conservation Society, P.O. Box 12860, Marina del Ray, California 90295, 
on April 6, 2021, to take effect on August 16, 2021. This LOC 
authorizes vessel surveys of 17 species of marine mammals for close 
approach, counts, photo-identification, photography/videography, 
underwater photography/videography, behavioral observations, and focal 
follows within Santa Monica Bay and adjacent California waters. Species 
include: Bottlenose dolphins, California sea lions (Zalophus 
californianus), Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli), Eastern North 
Pacific gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus), harbor porpoises, harbor 
seals (Phoca vitulina), killer whales, long-beaked common dolphins 
(Delphinus capensis), minke whales, northern elephant seals (Mirounga 
angustirostris), northern right whale dolphins (Lissodelphis borealis), 
Pacific white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens), Risso's 
dolphins, short-beaked common dolphins, short-finned pilot whales, and 
striped dolphins. The objective of the research is to continue the 
long-term study of the biology and ecology of marine mammals in the 
action area. The LOC expires on August 1, 2026.
    File No. 19540: This LOC, held by Shannon Gowans, Ph.D., Eckerd 
College, 4200 54th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, Florida 33711, was 
extended on May 28, 2021, for approximately one year. The LOC 
authorizes vessel-based behavioral observations, photo-identification, 
and passive acoustic recording of bottlenose, rough-toothed, and 
Atlantic spotted dolphins in Tampa Bay and its surrounding waters. The 
objectives of the research will not change. The extended LOC expires on 
May 31, 2022.
    File No. 25527: Issued to Zach McKenna, St. Augustine Dolphin 
Research, 1093 A1a Beach Blvd. #430, St. Augustine, Florida 32080, on 
June 1, 2021. This LOC authorizes vessel-based surveys for close 
approach, photo-identification, behavioral observations, videography, 
and passive acoustic recordings of bottlenose dolphins. Research may 
occur in inland Florida waters from the St. Johns River-Intracoastal 
Waterway boundary south to Marineland. The objectives of the research 
are to identify and refine dolphin stock units in Florida, assess 
regional population biology and behavioral ecology, and document 
dolphin survival threats (e.g., human-caused entanglements and 
injuries). The LOC expires on May 31, 2026.
    File No. 25638: Issued to Clearwater Marine Aquarium (PI: Lisa 
Oliver), 249 Windward Passage, Clearwater, Florida 33767, on July 6, 
2021. This LOC authorizes vessel and aerial-based surveys on bottlenose 
dolphins for acoustic, passive recording, photo-identification, 
behavioral observations, count/survey, and photography/videography. 
Research may occur in the estuarine and coastal waters of West Central 
Florida. The objective of the research is to continue a longitudinal 
study on the home ranges, distribution, population abundance, site 
fidelity, and reproductive success of bottlenose dolphins. The LOC 
expires on July 15, 2026.
    File No. 22587: Issued to Dolphin Research Center (PI: Armando 
Rodriguez), P.O. Box 522875, Marathon Shores, FL 33052, on August 4, 
2021. This amended LOC (No. 22587-01) authorizes the use of unmanned 
aerial systems (UAS) for breath sampling, photography, and 
photogrammetry of bottlenose dolphins in the middle Florida Keys. The 
new objective of the research is to enhance the current vessel-based 
photo-identification field study by collecting morphometric and DNA 
information of dolphins. The LOC expires on February 15, 2024.
    File No. 25751: Issued to Shoals Marine Laboratory (PI: Andrea 
Bogomolni, Ph.D.), University of New Hampshire, 24 Colovos Road, 
Durham, New Hampshire 03824, on August 24, 2021. This LOC authorizes 
vessel surveys, photo-identification, counts, and behavioral and 
monitoring observations of gray (Halichoerus grypus) and harbor seals 
in Maine and New Hampshire waters. The objectives of the research are 
to monitor changes in number and distribution of seals, re-sight of 
unique individuals, document use of the area by mother-pup pairs, 
visually assess health of individuals, and monitor the effects of human

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disturbance on seals. The LOC expires on August 31, 2026.
    File No. 25811: Issued to the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems 
Command Atlantic (RP: Deanna Rees; PI: Danielle Jones), 6506 Hampton 
Boulevard, Norfolk, Virginia 23508. This LOC authorizes close approach, 
counts, unintentional disturbance, photo-identification, photography/
videography, and behavioral observations of harbor and gray seals via 
vessel surveys, ground surveys, and UAS along the coast of Virginia. 
Harp seals may be observed during research. The objective of the 
research is to collect data on pinniped occurrence, movement, habitat 
use, and haul-out patterns at known haul-out areas near the lower 
Chesapeake Bay and the Eastern Shore, Virginia. The LOC expires on 
September 30, 2026.
    File No. 20346: This LOC, held by Ann Weaver, Ph.D., Good-natured 
Statistics Consulting, P.O. Box 8732, St Petersburg, Florida 33738, was 
extended on September 13, 2021, while the holder's new application 
(File No. 25957) is in process. The LOC authorizes vessel-based 
research of bottlenose dolphins, including abundance surveys, 
behavioral observations, photography and video in and around a 6.5-mile 
stretch of the Intracoastal Waterway near John's Pass, Florida. The 
objectives of the research would not change. The extended LOC expires 
on September 1, 2022, or until a decision is made on the new 
application, whichever occurs first.
    File No. 25574: Issued to Wendy Noke Durden, Hubbs-Sea World 
Research Institute, 3830 South Highway A1A #4-181, Melbourne Beach, 
Florida 32951, on September 23, 2021. This LOC authorizes vessel-based 
surveys and UAS flights for photo-identification, behavioral 
observations, focal follows, passive acoustic recordings, and breath 
sampling of bottlenose dolphins. Research may occur in the inland 
waters along the east coast of Florida from northernmost limits of 
Flagler County to Jupiter Inlet, including the Indian River Lagoon, 
with a focus on Mosquito Lagoon and the Halifax River estuary. The 
objective of the research is to evaluate the abundance, stock 
association, distribution, residency, social structure, population 
dynamics, habitat use, health, demography, behavior, anthropogenic 
interactions, and contact calls of dolphins within the study area. The 
LOC expires on September 30, 2026.
    File No. 25895: Issued to Jacalyn Sullivan, Stockton University, 
101 Vera King Farris Drive, Galloway, New Jersey 08205, on October 29, 
2021. This LOC authorizes UAS surveys of harbor seals for count/survey, 
behavioral observation monitoring, photo-identification, and 
videography. The objective of the research is to determine temporal 
patterns of harbor seal habitat use in Great Bay, New Jersey, 
population size, and shifts over time as a nearby wind farm becomes 
operational. The LOC expires on October 31, 2026.
    File No. 25835: Issued to Tampa Bay Watch (PI: Savannah Gandee), 
3000 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, Florida 33715, on December 
21, 2021. This LOC authorizes vessel-based surveys of bottlenose 
dolphins for behavioral observations, photo-identification, passive 
acoustics, count/survey, and photography/videography in Tampa Bay. The 
objective of the research is to provide an updated account of the 
common bottlenose dolphin population that utilizes understudied regions 
of Tampa Bay for management and conservation purposes. The LOC expires 
on December 31, 2021.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), a final determination has been made that the 
activities are categorically excluded from the requirement to prepare 
an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.

    Dated: January 7, 2022.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-00496 Filed 1-20-22; 8:45 am]
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