[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 50 (Wednesday, March 15, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15980-15981]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-05262]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XC836]


Marine Mammals; File No. 27066

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

[[Page 15981]]


ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.

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

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the NMFS Northeast Fisheries 
Science Center, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543 
(Responsible Party: Jon Hare), 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 14, 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. 27066 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. 27066 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 Carrie 
Hubard, (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 requests a 5-year research permit to determine the 
abundance, distribution, movement patterns, dive behavior, demographic 
parameters, trends in recruitment, and stock structure of cetaceans in 
U.S. waters of the western North Atlantic from Florida to Maine, and 
Canadian waters in the Bay of Fundy and Scotian Shelf. Up to 38 species 
of cetaceans may be taken during research including the following 
endangered species: blue (Balaenoptera musculus), bowhead (Balaena 
mysticetus), fin (Balaenoptera physalus), gray (Western North Pacific; 
Eschrichtius robustus), North Atlantic right (Eubalaena glacialis), sei 
(Balaenoptera borealis), and sperm (Physeter macrocephalus) whales. 
Research methods during vessel and aerial (manned and unmanned) surveys 
will include counts, photo-identification, video recording, 
photogrammetry, passive acoustic recording, observations, thermal 
imaging, biological sampling (skin and blubber biopsy, sloughed skin, 
feces, and exhaled air), and tagging (suction-cup and dart tags). Dart 
tags may include short Type C tags that anchor in the blubber of large 
whales. Receipt, import, and export of marine mammal parts would also 
be authorized for research purposes. Four species of non-ESA listed 
pinnipeds may be unintentional harassed and opportunistically studied 
during cetacean research. 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: March 8, 2023.
Amy Sloan,
Acting Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-05262 Filed 3-14-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P