[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 166 (Monday, August 29, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52752-52753]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-18494]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XC312]


Marine Mammals; File No. 26594

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 Ann Zoidis, Cetos Research 
Organization 51 Kebo Ridge Road, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, 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 28, 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. 26594 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. 26594 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.), and the 
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of 
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226).
    The applicant requests a 5-year permit to take marine mammals in 
the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to study population size, distribution, 
habitat use, and behavior. Up to 32 species of cetaceans may be 
targeted for research including the following ESA-listed species: blue 
(Balaenoptera musculus), fin (Balaenoptera physalus), false killer 
(Pseudorca crassidens; Main Hawaiian insular distinct population 
segment), North Atlantic right (Eubalaena glacialis), sei (Balaenoptera 
borealis), and sperm (Physeter macrocephalus) whales. Researchers would 
conduct vessel surveys and aerial surveys (manned and unmanned), for 
counts, observations, above water and underwater photography and video 
recording, photo-identification, photogrammetry, passive acoustic 
recording, biological sampling (sloughed skin, feces, and skin and 
blubber biopsy), and suction-cup tagging. Biological samples may be 
imported and exported for analysis. ESA-listed Hawaiian monk seals 
(Neomonachus schauinslandi) 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

[[Page 52753]]

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 23, 2022.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-18494 Filed 8-26-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P