[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 46 (Wednesday, March 9, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13270-13271]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-04927]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XB864]


Marine Mammals; File No. 26288

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 Deborah Giles, Ph.D., Wild Orca, 
6523 California Ave. SW, #172, Seattle, Washington 98136, 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 April 8, 2022.

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. 26288 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. 26288 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: Courtney Smith, Ph.D., 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 proposed permit would authorize vessel surveys for continuing a 
long-term assessment of the health and ecology of cetaceans, with 
particular focus on the ESA-listed Southern Resident killer whales, and 
sympatric ecotypes of killer whales (Orcinus orca), with the primary 
goal of obtaining health information pertinent to their management and 
conservation. The core study area is the Salish Sea, covering the 
eastern inlet of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Puget Sound to the south, 
the U.S. boundary to the north, and the mainland to the east, but 
includes the outer coast from Washington State to Monterey California. 
Research methods primarily involve fecal sampling, photographic 
identification, and behavioral observations, but depending on the 
conditions and behavior of the whales we may also use other non-
invasive or benign techniques such as prey and skin sampling in the 
trail of whales, unmanned aircraft remote observations of fecal patches 
and whales, and eDNA water sampling. Parts from unidentified ESA-listed 
fish (e.g., salmonid) species may also be collected during predation 
events. Secondary target species that may be

[[Page 13271]]

approached include: Fin (Balaenoptera physalus), gray (Eschrichtius 
robustus), humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), and minke (Balaenoptera 
acutorostrata) whales. Up to 21 additional cetacean species may be 
taken if opportunistically encountered (see permit take table). Up to 
100 takes whales of each killer whale stock and up to 400 individuals 
of each of the other species may be taken annually. Five pinniped 
species may be unintentionally harassed during research activities. The 
permit would be 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: March 3, 2022.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-04927 Filed 3-8-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P