[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 174 (Monday, September 11, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 62344]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-19455]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XD335]


Marine Mammals; File No. 27426

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 Oregon State University, Marine 
Mammal Institute, 2030 Marine Science Drive, Newport, OR 97365 
(Responsible Party: Lisa Ballance, Ph.D.), has applied in due form for 
a permit to conduct research on marine mammals.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before October 11, 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. 27426 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. 27426 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 research permit to study abundance, 
density, distribution, movements, behavior, ecology, health, and stock 
structure of marine mammals in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Southern 
Oceans. Research may occur in U.S. and international waters on 72 
species of marine mammals, including the following ESA-listed 
cetaceans: blue (Balaenoptera musculus), bowhead (Balaena mysticetes), 
fin (Balaenoptera physalus), gray (Eschrichtius robustus; Western North 
Pacific distinct population segment [DPS]), humpback (Megaptera 
novaeangliae; Central America, Mexico, Western North Pacific, and Cape 
Verde DPSs), killer (Orcinus orca; Southern Resident DPS), North 
Pacific right (Eubalaena japonica), Rice's (Balaenoptera ricei), sei 
(Balaenoptera borealis), Southern right (E. australis), and sperm 
(Physeter macrocephalus) whales. Research for cetaceans would include 
vessel and aerial surveys (manned and unmanned) for observations, 
photography, video recordings, thermal imaging, photogrammetry, passive 
acoustics, echosounders for prey mapping, biological sampling (exhaled 
air, sloughed skin, feces, and skin and blubber biopsy), and tagging 
(suction-cup, dart, and deep-implant). Eleven species of pinnipeds may 
be harassed and opportunistically studied during research including the 
following ESA-listed species: Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus; 
Western DPS), and bearded (Erignathus barbatus), Guadalupe fur 
(Arctocephalus townsendi), Hawaiian monk (Neomonachus schauinslandi), 
ringed (Phoca hispida), and spotted (P. largha) seals. Parts from all 
species of cetaceans and pinnipeds (excluding walrus) collected under 
separate authorizations may be imported, exported, and received 
annually for scientific research, and secondarily used for curation and 
education. See the application for complete 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: September 5, 2023.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-19455 Filed 9-8-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P