[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 163 (Wednesday, August 24, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51969-51970]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-18246]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XC295]


Marine Mammals; File No. 26596

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 Robin Baird, Ph.D., Cascadia 
Research Collective, 218\1/2\ West Fourth Avenue, Olympia, WA 98501, 
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 September 23, 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. 26596 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. 26596 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 Courtney 
Smith, 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 requests a 5-year permit to take marine mammals in 
the Pacific Ocean to study population structure, size, and range, 
movements, habitat use,

[[Page 51970]]

social organization, diving behavior, diet, disease monitoring, 
behavior, and reactions to anthropogenic activity. Up to 43 species of 
cetaceans may be targeted for research including the following ESA-
listed species: blue (Balaenoptera musculus), bowhead (Balaena 
mysticetus), fin (Balaenoptera physalus), false killer (Pseudorca 
crassidens; Main Hawaiian insular distinct population segment [DPS]), 
gray (Eschrichtius robustus; Western North Pacific DPS), humpback 
(Megaptera novaeangliae; Western North Pacific, Mexico, and Central 
America DPSs), killer (Orcinus orca; Southern Resident DPS), North 
Pacific right (Eubalaena japonica), sei (Balaenoptera borealis), and 
sperm (Physeter macrocephalus) whales. Researchers would conduct vessel 
surveys, including unmanned aircraft systems, for counts, passive 
acoustic recording, observations, photo-identification, photogrammetry, 
thermal imaging, video recording, biological sampling (sloughed skin, 
exhaled air, feces, prey remains, skin and blubber biopsy), and tagging 
(suction-cup, dart, and bolt/pin). Biological samples, including prey 
remains of ESA-listed marine mammal or fish species, may be imported 
and exported for analysis. Seven pinniped species including ESA-listed 
Hawaiian monk seals (Neomonachus schauinslandi), Guadalupe fur seals 
(Arctocephalus townsendi), and Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) 
may be harassed during research. See the application for numbers of 
animals requested by species and procedure.
    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: August 19, 2022.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-18246 Filed 8-23-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P