[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 250 (Friday, December 30, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 80527]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-28443]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XC630]


Marine Mammals; File No. 24378

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 University of Alaska 
Southeast, 1332 Seward Ave, Sitka, AK 99835 (Responsible Party: Jan 
Straley), has applied for an amendment to scientific research Permit 
No. 24378.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before January 30, 2023.

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. 24378 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. 24378 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: Courtney Smith, Ph.D., or Shasta 
McClenahan, Ph.D., (301) 427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 24378 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), and the Fur 
Seal Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).
    Permit No. 24378, issued on April 29, 2021, (86 FR 26013, May 12, 
2021), authorizes the permit holder to conduct research on 18 species 
of cetaceans in Alaska, focusing on humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), 
killer (Orcinus orca), and sperm (Physeter macrocephalus) whales. The 
objective of the research is to further the biological understanding of 
Alaskan cetaceans by evaluating species abundance, population and stock 
structure, life history parameters, foraging behavior and prey 
specialization, social behavior, seasonal movements and migrations, and 
depredation interactions with longline fishing vessels. Research 
methods include close approach by vessels and unmanned aircraft systems 
to conduct activities that may result in Level B harassment including 
photo-identification, behavioral observations, underwater photography/
video, active acoustic sonar for prey mapping, biological sampling 
(prey samples, exhaled air, sloughed skin, feces), and collection of 
eDNA. The research also includes activities that may result in Level A 
harassment including biopsy sampling and tagging (suction-cup and dart/
barb). Some marine mammal parts may be exported for analysis.
    The permit holder is requesting the permit be amended to increase 
annual takes of gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) from 100 to 250 for 
activities that may cause Level B harassment; and increase from 20 to 
100 annual takes for biopsy sampling. The purpose of the requested 
amendment is to add a new study and objectives that will allow 
researchers to better understand the increasing gray whale presence, 
population dynamics, demographics, and foraging strategies in Sitka 
Sound. The permit will 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.

    Dated: December 27, 2022.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-28443 Filed 12-29-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P