[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 41 (Thursday, March 2, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 13100]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-04221]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XC804]


Marine Mammals; File No. 27052

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 NMFS Northwest Fisheries 
Science Center (NWFSC), 2725 Montlake Boulevard East, Seattle, WA 
98112-2097 (Responsible Party: M. Bradley Hanson, Ph.D.), 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 April 3, 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. 27052 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. 27052 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 assess the biology and 
ecology of marine mammals in U.S. and international waters of the North 
Pacific Ocean off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, California, Alaska, 
and Canada. Up to 33 species of marine mammals may be taken during 
research including the following ESA-listed species: blue (Balaenoptera 
musculus), fin (B. physalus), gray (Eschrichtius robustus; Western 
North Pacific distinct population segments[DPS]), humpback (Megaptera 
novaeangliae; Western North Pacific, Central America, and Mexico DPSs), 
killer (Orcinus orca; Southern Resident DPS), North Pacific right 
(Eubalaena japonica), sei (B. borealis), and sperm (Physeter 
macrocephalus) whales; and Guadalupe fur seals (Arctocephalus 
townsendi) and Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus; Western DPS). The 
applicant proposes to take marine mammals during vessel and aerial 
surveys, including unmanned aircraft systems, for above and underwater 
photography and videography, photo-identification, photogrammetry, 
thermal imaging, behavioral observations, passive acoustic recordings, 
prey mapping with echosounders, biological sampling (exhaled air, 
feces, sloughed skin, predation samples, and skin and blubber 
biopsies), and suction-cup tagging. Research may also be conducted on 
captive killer whales. Marine mammal parts may be received, imported, 
and exported for analysis. See the application for complete numbers of 
animals requested by species, life stage, 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: February 24, 2023.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-04221 Filed 3-1-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P