[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 52 (Friday, March 15, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 18906]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-05596]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XD804]


Marine Mammals; File No. 27548

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.

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

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Lars Bejder, Ph.D., University of 
Hawaii at Manoa, 46-007 Lilipuna Road, Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744, has 
applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on cetaceans.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before April 15, 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. 
27548 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. 27548 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 Erin 
Markin, 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 research permit to study cetaceans 
including fundamental biology, ecology, habitat use, social structure, 
behavior, energetics, and impacts of human activities. Up to 31 species 
of marine mammals may be targeted including the following ESA-listed 
species: blue (Balaenoptera musculus), bowhead (Balaena mysticetus), 
fin (Balaenoptera physalus), false killer (Pseudorca crassidens; 
Hawaiian insular distinct population segment [DPS]), gray (Eschrichtius 
robustus; Western North Pacific DPS), humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae; 
Western North Pacific and Mexico DPSs), sei (Balaenoptera. borealis), 
and sperm (Physeter macrocephalus) whales. Research may occur year-
round in U.S. and international waters of the Pacific Ocean near 
Hawaii, Alaska, and U.S. territories. Research may be conducted from a 
vessel or unmanned aircraft system for counts, photography and video 
recording (above and underwater), photogrammetry, passive acoustics, 
tracking, biological sampling (skin and blubber biopsy, sloughed skin, 
exhaled air, and feces), and suction-cup tagging. See the application 
for complete numbers of animals requested by species, age-class, 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 12, 2024.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-05596 Filed 3-14-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P