[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 8 (Thursday, January 11, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1908-1909]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-00450]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XD589]


Marine Mammals; File No. 27099

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 Pacific Whale Foundation 
(Responsible Party: Jens Curie), 300 Ma'alaea Rd. Ste. 211, Wailuku, 
Hawaii 96793, has applied for an amendment to Scientific Research 
Permit No. 27099.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before February 12, 
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 
(APPS) home page, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File 
No. 27099 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. 27099 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: Courtney Smith, Ph.D., or Erin Markin, 
Ph.D., (301) 427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 27099 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. 27099, issued on April 28, 2023 (88 FR 31737, May 18, 
2023), authorizes the permit holder to harass up to 1200 of the 
following cetaceans species, annually, during vessel, underwater, and 
unoccupied aerial systems (UAS) surveys within waters of the Main 
Hawaiian Islands: Blainville's beaked (Mesoplodon densirostris), 
Bryde's (Balaenoptera brydei), Cuvier's beaked (Ziphius cavirostris), 
dwarf sperm (Kogia sima), false killer (Pseudorca crassidens; including 
the endangered Main Hawaiian Islands insular Distinct Population 
Segment), fin (Balaenoptera physalus), humpback (Megaptera 
novaeangliae), killer (Orcinus orca), melon-headed (Peponocephala 
electra), minke (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), pygmy killer (Feresa 
attenuata), pygmy sperm (Kogia breviceps), short-finned pilot 
(Globicephala macrorhynchus), and sperm (Physeter macrocephalus) 
whales; and common bottlenose (Tursiops truncatus), Fraser's 
(Lagenodelphis hosei), pantropical spotted (Stenella attenuata), 
Risso's (Grampus griseus), rough-toothed (Steno bredanensis), short-
beaked common (Delphinus delphis), spinner (Stenella longistrostris 
longirostris), and striped (Stenella coeruleoalba) dolphins. The 
objective of research is to assess the human impacts on, and the 
distribution, abundance, social organization, population structure, 
population size, foraging, diet, reproduction, movements, habitat use, 
body condition, health, and behavior of Hawaiian cetaceans. Permitted 
research procedures include photo-ID, photogrammetry, underwater 
filming, suction-cup tagging, biopsy collection, fecal sampling, 
sloughed skin collection, and exhaled air sample collection. Up to 10 
suction-cup tags and up to 40 biopsy samples may be taken from the 
above-listed species. The permit holder is requesting the permit be 
amended to include authorization to import up to 40 humpback whale 
(East Australia Distinct Population Segment) biopsy samples from 
Australia. The imported samples will be used to

[[Page 1909]]

address a new study objective to understand the factors influencing 
humpback whale migration along the east coast of Australia within the 
context of a rapidly changing environment. Specifically, the study aims 
to analyze the size, age, and body condition of the sub-population of 
whales undertaking migration in a given year to provide insights into 
the overall health and status of the regional humpback whale 
population. The permit is valid through April 30, 2028. All other terms 
and conditions of the permit would remain the same.
    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 8, 2024.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-00450 Filed 1-10-24; 8:45 am]
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