[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 59 (Tuesday, March 28, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18299-18300]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-06394]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XC868]


Marine Mammals; File No. 26663

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 Alaska Whale Foundation, PO 
Box 1927, Petersburg, AK 99833 (Responsible Party: Fred Sharpe, Ph.D.), 
has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on cetaceans.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before April 27, 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. 26663 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. 26663 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: Carrie Hubard or Shasta McClenahan, 
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 requests a 5 year permit to study humpback whales 
(Megaptera novaeangliae) and other cetaceans in southeast Alaska. 
Research would be conducted using motorized vessels, hand-powered 
watercraft, unmanned aircraft systems, and underwater snorkelers. 
Humpback whales would be studied via photo-id, photogrammetry, 
behavioral observations, passive acoustic recordings, suction-cup 
tagging, and biological sampling (exhaled air, sloughed skin, fecal, 
and skin/blubber biopsy). The purpose of the research is to study 
humpback whale distribution, abundance trends, acoustic ecology, and 
health metrics and opportunistically study other cetacean species in 
the study area. Nine additional cetacean species, including endangered 
fin (Balaenoptera physalus), gray (Eschrichtius robustus), and sperm 
(Physeter macrocephalus) whales, may be opportunistically studied or 
unintentionally harassed. Harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) and Steller sea 
lions (Eumetopias jubatus) may also be unintentionally harassed during 
acoustic activities. See the application

[[Page 18300]]

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 22, 2023.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-06394 Filed 3-27-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P