[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 139 (Thursday, July 21, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 43501]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-15591]



[[Page 43501]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XC195]


Marine Mammals; File No. 26329

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 Brandon Southall, Ph.D., Southall 
Environmental Associates, Inc., 9099 Soquel Drive, Suite 8, Aptos, CA 
95076, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research or 
enhancement on 17 species of cetaceans including endangered blue 
(Balaenoptera musculus), fin (B. physalus), humpback (Megaptera 
novaeangliae), and sperm (Physeter macrocephalus) whales.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before August 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. 26329 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. 26329 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: Amy Hapeman 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.), 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 study behavioral responses of cetaceans 
in California waters. Researchers seek to identify key characteristics 
of species-typical calling, diving, feeding, social, and movement 
behavior in cetaceans, and under what conditions and contexts these 
behaviors are affected by human noise disturbance. Researchers would 
approach cetaceans by vessel for observations, suction-cup tagging, 
collection of sloughed skin, acoustic playbacks, prey mapping, photo-
identification, and unintentional harassment. Except for playbacks, 
some research activities would occur in conjunction with separately 
authorized U.S. Navy operations. Five pinniped species, including 
endangered Guadalupe fur seals (Arctocephalus townsendi), may be 
unintentionally harassed during fieldwork. Take numbers for each 
species can be found in the application's take table. The permit would 
be valid 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: July 18, 2022.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-15591 Filed 7-20-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P