[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 99 (Monday, May 23, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 31210]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-11016]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XC036]


Marine Mammals; File No. 25754

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 NMFS Pacific Islands Fisheries 
Science Center, 1845 Wasp Boulevard, Building 176, Honolulu, HI 96818 
(Responsible Party: Erin Oleson, Ph.D.), has applied in due form for a 
permit to conduct research on cetaceans.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before June 22, 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. 25754 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. 25754 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: Carrie Hubard or Sara Young, (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 34 cetacean species 
in U.S. and international waters of the Pacific Islands region, 
including the Hawaiian archipelago, American Samoa, Guam, the 
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Kingman Reef, Palmyra 
Atoll, Johnston Atoll, Wake Atoll, Howland Island, Baker Island, and 
Jarvis Island. The following endangered or threatened species may be 
taken during research activities: Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus), 
false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens), fin whale (B. physalus), 
humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), North Pacific right whale 
(Eubalaena japonica), sei whale (B. borealis), and sperm whale 
(Physeter macrocephalus). The objectives of the research are to 
determine the abundance, stock structure, distribution, movement 
patterns, and ecological relationships of cetaceans in the study area. 
Research activities include aerial surveys using manned and unmanned 
aircraft systems, vessel surveys, behavioral observations, photo-
identification, passive acoustic recordings, underwater photography, 
biological sample collection (skin and blubber biopsies, exhaled air, 
feces, and sloughed skin), and tagging (suction-cup and dart/barb). 
Marine mammal parts would also be imported, exported, salvaged, or 
received for analysis and curation. See the application for complete 
numbers of animals requested by species, life stage, 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: May 18, 2022.
Amy Sloan,
Acting Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-11016 Filed 5-20-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P