[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 37 (Thursday, February 24, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10337-10338]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-03919]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XB837]


Marine Mammals; File No. 25843

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 Peggy Stap, Marine Life Studies, 6 
Carlton Drive, Del Rey Oaks, CA 93940, has applied in due form for a 
permit to conduct research on marine mammals.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before March 28, 2022.

[[Page 10338]]


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. 25843 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. 25843 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 Erin 
Markin, 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 conduct research to (1) develop a 
baseline genetic database for three odontocete species; (2) study 
foraging strategies; and (3) investigate the abundance, distribution, 
movement, and occurrence of cetacean species within coastal and 
offshore waters of California and Oregon. Up to 25 species of cetaceans 
may be taken during research including the following ESA-listed species 
or distinct population segments (DPS): blue (Balaenoptera musculus), 
fin (B. physalus), gray (Western North Pacific DPS; Eschrichtius 
robustus), humpback (Mexico and Central America DPSs; Megaptera 
novaeangliae), killer (Southern Resident DPS; Orcinus orca), North 
Pacific right (Eubalaena japonica), sei (B. borealis), and sperm 
(Physeter macrocephalus) whales. Cetaceans may be taken during vessel 
surveys including unmanned aircraft systems for counts, above water and 
underwater photography and videography, photo-identification, 
photogrammetry, behavioral observations, passive acoustic recording, 
echosounder for prey mapping, and non-invasive genetic sampling 
(exhaled air, remote skin swab, sloughed skin, and feces). Five species 
of pinnipeds, including ESA threatened Guadalupe fur seals 
(Arctocephalus townsendi), may be unintentionally harassed during 
research activities. See the application for complete numbers of 
animals requested by species and procedure. The permit is requested 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.

    Dated: February 18, 2022.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-03919 Filed 2-23-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P