[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 5 (Monday, January 8, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 906-907]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-00139]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XD609]


Marine Mammals; File No. 25563

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for permit amendment.

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

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science 
Center, Marine Mammal Laboratory, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 
98115 (Responsible Party: John Bengtson, Ph.D.), has applied for an 
amendment to Scientific Research Permit No. 25563.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before February 7, 2024.

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 
home page, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File No. 
25563 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. 25563 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: Amy Hapeman or Shasta McClenahan, 
Ph.D., (301) 427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 25563 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), and the Fur 
Seal Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).
    Permit No. 25563, issued on November 8, 2021 (86 FR 70828, December 
13, 2021), authorizes the permit holder to monitor cetacean population 
trends, abundance, distribution, and health in the North Pacific Ocean, 
the Bering, Beaufort, and Chukchi Seas, and the Gulf of Maine. 
Researchers may conduct aerial and vessel surveys to study 20 species 
of cetaceans including endangered or threatened blue (Balaenoptera 
musculus), bowhead (Balaena mysticetus), Cook Inlet beluga 
(Delphinapterus leucas), fin (Balaenoptera physalus), gray 
(Eschrichtius robustus), humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), North 
Pacific

[[Page 907]]

right (Eubalaena japonica), sei (Balaenoptera borealis), Southern 
Resident killer (Orcinus orca), and sperm (Physeter macrocephalus) 
whales. Surveys are authorized for a suite of methods: observations, 
counts, photography/videography (underwater, topside, and aerial), 
photogrammetry, photo-identification, biological sampling (exhaled air, 
feces, blubber and skin, sloughed skin, environmental DNA, and prey 
remains), invasive and non-invasive tagging, and active acoustics. 
Researchers may attach up to two tags on a whale at a time. Biological 
samples collected on the high seas may be imported to the United 
States. Up to nine species of pinnipeds may be unintentionally harassed 
during surveys. See the take tables for specific numbers and life 
stages authorized for each species.
    The permit holder is requesting the permit be amended to include 
authorization for blue, fin, gray, and humpback whales (adult and 
juvenile life stages) to receive up to three tags (suction-cup, dart/
barb tag, and deep implant) at the same time. Deployment of three tags 
at a time will allow researchers to better understand whale movements 
and habitat use and to validate new sensors. The number of takes 
authorized for each species would not change. The amendment would be 
valid for the duration of the permit, which is set to expire October 
31, 2026.
    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: January 3, 2024.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-00139 Filed 1-5-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P