[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 224 (Tuesday, November 22, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71303-71304]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-25430]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XC563]


Marine Mammals; File No. 24334

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for permit amendment.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Alaska Department of Fish and 
Game, P.O. Box 25526, Juneau, AK 99802, (Responsible Party: Lori

[[Page 71304]]

Quakenbush), has applied for an amendment to Scientific Research Permit 
No. 24334.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before December 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. 24334 mod 1 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. 24334 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 amendment to Permit No. 24334 is 
requested under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 
1972, as amended (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 (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).
    Permit No. 24334, issued on July 13, 2021 (86 FR 43630, August 10, 
2021), authorizes the permit holder to conduct research on five whale 
species in the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort seas (U.S. and 
international waters) adjacent to Alaska. Researchers may conduct 
vessel surveys for tagging (invasive tags or suction cup tags), biopsy 
sampling, photo-identification, and unmanned aircraft system (UAS) 
surveys for all species. Researchers also may conduct manned aerial 
surveys and captures for tagging with biological sample collection of 
four beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) stocks and export and import 
of skin and blubber for the target species. Non-target seals and beluga 
whales may be unintentionally harassed, and seals may be incidentally 
captured during research activities. Up to three unintentional beluga 
mortalities may occur during captures over the duration of the permit.
    The permit holder is requesting the permit be amended to authorize 
the annual receipt, collection, import, or export of parts from up to 
300 beluga whales and up to 50 other unidentified cetaceans (any 
species). Sources of foreign and domestic samples may include 
subsistence harvests, captive animals, other authorized researchers or 
curated collections, bycatch from legal commercial fishing operations, 
cetaceans killed by killer whales, parts that are sloughed, excreted or 
discharged naturally by living cetaceans, and foreign stranded animals. 
No take or harassment of live animals would be authorized. The 
amendment would be valid for the duration of the permit, which is set 
to expire on April 30, 2026.
    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 this application to the Marine 
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.

Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-25430 Filed 11-21-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P