[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 33 (Friday, February 17, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10294-10295]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-03365]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XC782]


Marine Mammals; File No. 27099

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 the Pacific Whale Foundation 
(Responsible Party: Jens Curie), 300 Ma'alaea Rd. Ste. 211, Wailuku, 
Hawaii 96793, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research 
on 22 species of cetaceans within waters of the Hawaiian Islands.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before March 20, 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. 27099 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. 27099 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 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 proposes to harass up to 1200 of the following 
cetaceans species, annually, during vessel, underwater, and Unoccupied 
Aerial Systems (UAS) surveys within waters of the Main Hawaiian 
Islands: Blainville's beaked (Mesoplodon densirostris), Bryde's 
(Balaenoptera brydei), Cuvier's beaked (Ziphius cavirostris), dwarf 
sperm (Kogia sima), false killer (Pseudorca crassidens; including the 
endangered Main Hawaiian Islands insular Distinct Population Segment), 
fin (Balaenoptera physalus), humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), killer 
(Orcinus orca), melon-headed (Peponocephala electra), minke 
(Balaenoptera acutorostrata), pygmy killer (Feresa attenuata), pygmy 
sperm (Kogia breviceps), short-finned pilot (Globicephala 
macrorhynchus), and sperm (Physeter macrocephalus) whales; and common 
bottlenose (Tursiops truncatus), Fraser's (Lagenodelphis hosei), 
pantropical spotted (Stenella attenuata), Risso's (Grampus griseus), 
rough-toothed (Steno bredanensis), short-beaked common (Delphinus 
delphis), spinner (Stenella longistrostris longirostris), and striped 
(Stenella coeruleoalba) dolphins. The objective of research is to 
assess the human impacts on, and the distribution, abundance, social 
organization, population structure, population size, foraging, diet, 
reproduction, movements, habitat use, body condition, health, and 
behavior of Hawaiian cetaceans. Proposed research procedures include 
photo-ID, photogrammetry, underwater filming, suction-cup tagging, 
biopsy collection, fecal sampling, sloughed skin collection, and 
exhaled air sample collection. Up to 10 suction-cup tags and up to 40 
biopsy samples may be taken from the above listed species. The permit 
would be valid for 5 years from the date of issuance.
    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.


[[Page 10295]]


    Dated: February 13, 2023.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-03365 Filed 2-16-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P