[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 225 (Friday, November 24, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 82340]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-25920]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XD551]


Marine Mammals; File No. 26593

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for permit amendment.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Adam Pack, Ph.D., University of 
Hawaii at Hilo, 200 West Kawili Street, Hilo, HI 96720, has applied for 
an amendment to Scientific Research Permit No. 26593.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before December 26, 
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. 26593 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. 26593 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 Courtney Smith, 
Ph.D., (301) 427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 26593 is 
requested under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 
1972, as amended (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 (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).
    Permit No. 26593, issued on March 13, 2023 (88 FR 23400, April 17, 
2023), authorizes the permit holder to study 29 cetacean species in 
Hawaiian and Alaskan waters, with a focus on humpback whales (Megaptera 
novaeangliae). The purpose of the research is to examine the behavioral 
ecology, biology and communication systems of humpback whales as well 
as the abundance, distribution, behavior, and physiological stress 
levels of all cetacean species in the study area. Research may be 
conducted from boats, airplanes, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), and 
underwater. Animals may be studied using photo-ID, videogrammetry, 
passive acoustic recordings, behavioral observations, collection of 
fecal and skin samples, biopsy sampling, and suction-cup tagging. The 
permit holder is requesting the permit be amended to add active 
acoustic playbacks to humpback whales and to authorize suction-cup 
tagging of an additional 98 humpback whales annually as part of the 
acoustic research. In addition, Dr. Pack is requesting to add UAS 
deployment of suction-cup tags as a procedure for humpback whales. The 
objective of the acoustic playbacks are to examine humpback whale 
responses to vessel engine noise, conspecific sounds, natural ambient 
noise, and tonal sounds in Hawaiian waters. The permit expires on April 
30, 2028.
    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 this application to the Marine 
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.

    Dated: November 20, 2023.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-25920 Filed 11-22-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P