[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 22 (Thursday, February 2, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7078-7079]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-02157]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XC735]


Marine Mammals; File No. 27038

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Center for Whale Research 
(Responsible Party: Michael Weiss, Ph.D.), 355 Smuggler's Cove Road, 
Friday Harbor, WA 98250, 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 March 6, 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. 27038 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. 27038 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 Amy 
Hapeman, (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 monitor the demography, 
structure, and health of endangered Southern

[[Page 7079]]

Resident killer whales (Orcinus orca) and opportunistically study other 
cetaceans in the inland and coastal waters of Washington. Up to 17 
additional species of cetaceans may be targeted for research including 
the following ESA-listed species: blue (Balaenoptera musculus), fin (B. 
physalus), gray (Western North Pacific distinct population segment 
[DPS]; Eschrichtius robustus), humpback (Mexico and Central America 
DPS; Megaptera novaeangliae), North Pacific right (Eubalaena japonica), 
sei (B. borealis), and sperm (Physeter macrocephalus) whales. 
Researchers would conduct vessel surveys, including unmanned aircraft 
systems, for counts, photography, photo-identification, photogrammetry, 
video recording, observations, passive acoustic recording, collection 
of samples (sloughed skin, feces, and predation remains), and 
underwater photo/videography. Five species of pinnipeds, including 
endangered Steller sea lions (Western DPS; 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: January 30, 2023.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-02157 Filed 2-1-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P