[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 86 (Thursday, May 2, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35805-35807]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-09531]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XC640]


Marine Mammals; Issuance of Permits

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

ACTION: Notice; issuance of permits.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that individuals and institutions have 
been issued Letters of Confirmation (LOCs) for activities conducted 
under the General Authorization for scientific research on marine 
mammals. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for a list of names and 
addresses of recipients.

ADDRESSES: The LOCs and related documents are available for review upon 
written request via email to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Hapeman (LOC Nos. 21932, 25835, 
27241, and 27326), Carrie Hubard (LOC Nos. 22081, 22291-01, 22856-01, 
24045, and 25957), Erin Markin, Ph.D. (LOC Nos. 20519-01, 26784, and 
27746), Shasta McClenahan, Ph.D. (LOC Nos. 21556 and 27369), Courtney 
Smith, Ph.D. (LOC Nos. 21134 and 26367), and Sara Young (LOC No. 25895 
and 26643) at the email listed above or (301) 427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The requested LOCs have been issued under 
the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended 
(16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), and the regulations governing the taking and 
importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216). The General 
Authorization allows for bona fide scientific research that may result 
only in taking by Level B harassment of marine mammals. The following 
LOCs were issued between October 1, 2021, and December 31, 2023.
    File No. 25895: Issued to Jacalyn Toth Sullivan, Stockton 
University, 101 Vera King Farris Drive, Galloway, New Jersey 08205 on 
October 29, 2021. This LOC authorizes unmanned aircraft system (UAS) 
surveys of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) within Great Bay, New Jersey 
for count/survey, behavioral observation monitoring, photo-
identification, and video purposes. The objectives of the study include 
determination of temporal patterns of harbor seal habitat use, 
population size, and shifts therein over time as the nearby wind farm 
becomes operational. The LOC expires on October 31, 2026.
    File No. 20519-01: This LOC, held by Peggy Stap, Marine Life 
Studies, P.O. Box 884, Monterey, California 93942-0884, was extended on 
November 18, 2021, through April 30, 2022, while the holder's new 
application (File No. 25843) was in process. The LOC authorizes close 
approach of 18 species of cetaceans and 4 species of pinnipeds during 
vessel and UAS surveys for photo-identification, behavioral 
observations, passive acoustics, photogrammetry, and underwater 
photograph/video within the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The 
objectives of the research would not change. The LOC was subsequently 
terminated on April 22, 2022, when a separate scientific research 
permit No. 25843 was issued (87 FR 29116, May 12, 2022).
    File No. 22856-01: This LOC, held by Patricia Fair, Ph.D., South 
Carolina Aquarium, 100 Aquarium Wharf, Charleston, South Carolina 
29401, was amended on August 30, 2021. The original LOC authorized 
vessel-based research for photo-identification, photogrammetry, and 
behavioral observations of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in 
waters near Charleston, South Carolina. The amended LOC would allow 
researchers to use UAS as an additional platform to collect photographs 
and behavioral data. The objectives of the research would not

[[Page 35806]]

change. The LOC expires August 31, 2024.
    File No. 25835: Issued to Tampa Bay Watch, Inc. (Principal 
Investigator [PI]: Savannah Gandee), 3000 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra 
Verde, Florida 33715, on December 21, 2021. This LOC authorized 
authorize vessel-based surveys of bottlenose dolphins in the upper-
middle regions of Tampa Bay, Florida, for behavioral observations, 
photo-identification, passive acoustic recordings, and photography/
videography. The objectives of the study were to assess current life 
history parameters of the population, including abundance, social 
structure, and spatial distribution of the animals. The LOC was 
subsequently terminated on January 3, 2024, at the request of the PI 
due to the end of research efforts.
    File No. 21134: This LOC, held by John Schacke, Ph.D., Georgia 
Ecology Dolphin Project, 223 Trace Lane, Commerce, Georgia 30530, was 
extended on January 14, 2022, until May 15, 2023. The LOC authorizes 
vessel-based research of bottlenose dolphins, including abundance 
surveys, behavioral observations, photography and video within coastal 
and estuarine waters of central Georgia. The objectives of the research 
would not change. The LOC was subsequently terminated on May 2, 2022, 
when a new LOC (No. 27241, see below) was issued.
    File No. 26367: Issued to Shannon Gowans, Ph.D., Eckerd College, 
4200 54th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, Florida 33711 on May 10, 2022. 
This LOC authorizes close approach, photo-identification, passive 
acoustic recordings, and behavioral observations of bottlenose 
dolphins, Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis), and rough-
toothed dolphins (Steno bredanensis) during vessel surveys in Boca 
Ciega Bay and surrounding waters. The objectives of the study are to 
continue assessing population size, distribution, and changes to social 
structure of local bottlenose dolphins. The LOC expires on May 15, 
2027.
    File No. 25957: Issued to Ann Weaver, Ph.D., Good-Natured 
Statistics Consulting, P.O. Box 8732, St. Petersburg, Florida 33738 on 
May 11, 2022. This LOC authorizes close approach, photo-identification, 
and behavioral observations of bottlenose dolphins during vessel 
surveys in the John's Pass area, near St. Petersburg, Florida. The 
objectives of the study are to continue monitoring the abundance, 
distribution, birth rates, and behavior of bottlenose dolphins in the 
study area and identify changes, if any, related to coastal 
construction projects. The LOC expires on May 31, 2027.
    File No. 26643: Issued to Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research 
Reserve (PI: Deborah Boege Tobin, Ph.D.), University of Alaska 
Anchorage, 2181 Kachemak Drive, Homer, Alaska 99603 on October 15, 
2022. This LOC authorizes vessel and aerial-based surveys to monitor 
harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), assess site fidelity and habitat 
use, study foraging and social behavior, and compile a photo-
identification catalog to track individuals in Kachemak Bay, Alaska. 
Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli), Eastern North Pacific gray whales 
(Eschrichtius robustus), killer whales (Orcinus orca; excluding the 
endangered Southern Resident Distinct Population Segment), minke whales 
(Balaenoptera acutorostrata), and harbor seals may also be encountered. 
The LOC expires on October 14, 2027.
    File No. 26784: Issued to Gerard Pinto, Ph.D., Jacksonville 
University, Marine Science Research Institute, 2800 University Blvd. 
North, Jacksonville, Florida 32211 on October 19, 2022. This LOC 
authorizes vessel-based research surveys for close approach, photo-
identification, behavioral observations, videography, passive acoustic 
recordings, and focal follows of bottlenose dolphins within the St. 
Johns River between Hart Bridge in Jacksonville and Shands Bridge in 
Green Cove Springs, Florida. The objective of the research is to 
continue a 10-year collaborative photo-identification study of the 
bottlenose dolphins in the St. Johns River in northeast Florida, 
focused on identifying individuals as well as dolphin biology, ecology, 
behavior, social structure, and health. The LOC expires on October 31, 
2027.
    File No. 21932: This LOC, held by Jessica Taylor, Outer Banks 
Center for Dolphin Research, 310 West Eden St., Kill Devil Hills, North 
Carolina 27948, was extended on January 13, 2023. This amended LOC 
authorizes vessel surveys, close approach, photo-identification, 
behavioral observations, and focal follows of bottlenose dolphins in 
the waters of northern North Carolina. The amended LOC expires on April 
30, 2024.
    File No. 21556: This LOC, held by Stephen McCulloch, Dolphins Plus 
Marine Mammal Responder, 31 Corrine Place, Key Largo, Florida 33037, 
was extended on April 26, 2023, until May 15, 2024. This LOC authorized 
vessel surveys, close approach, photo-identification, behavioral 
observations, and video recording of bottlenose dolphins in Southern 
Florida waters. This amendment extended the duration of the LOC until 
August 14, 2023. The LOC was subsequently terminated on August 14, 
2023, when a new LOC (No. 27269, see below) was issued.
    File No. 27241: Issued to John Schacke, Ph.D., Georgia Dolphin 
Ecology Project, 223 Trace Lane, Commerce, Georgia 30530, on May 2, 
2023. This LOC authorizes research on bottlenose dolphins involving 
close approach during vessel surveys for count/survey, observations, 
photograph/video, and photo-identification within coastal and estuarine 
waters of central Georgia. The objective of the research is to describe 
basic population dynamics of the common bottlenose dolphin populations 
in the Central Georgia Estuarine Stock System. This includes evaluation 
of their abundance, distribution, residency, habitat utilization, and 
stock structure. The LOC expires on May 15, 2028.
    File No. 27326: Issued to Nicole Mader, Dolphin Ecology Project, 
106 Abbie Court, Stuart, Florida 34996, on June 12, 2023. This LOC 
authorizes research on bottlenose dolphins involving close approach 
during vessel surveys for counts, observations, monitoring, passive 
acoustic recordings, photography/videography, photo-identification, and 
focal follows within the St. Lucie River, Indian River Lagoon from the 
Stuart Causeway to Jupiter Inlet, and adjacent Atlantic coastal waters. 
The objectives of the research are to (1) identify dolphin seasonal 
residency or transient patterns on a small temporal scale, (2) monitor 
reproductive success and calf survival, (3) evaluate habitat use and 
behavior, and (4) document ranging patterns of dolphins into the 
nearshore coastal Atlantic Ocean of the Indian River Lagoon Estuarine 
System stock. The LOC expires on June 30, 2028.
    File No. 27369: Issued to Stephen McCulloch, President, Protect 
Wild Dolphins Alliance, Inc., 307 Saint Thomas Avenue, Key Largo, 
Florida 33037, on August 14, 2023. This LOC authorizes research to 
estimate abundance, determine distribution patterns, assess habitat 
use, and evaluate site fidelity of bottlenose dolphins inhabiting the 
Upper Florida Keys. Authorized activities include close approach by 
vessel, for counts, photography, photo-identification, video 
recordings, behavioral observations, and underwater photography/
videography by pole camera. The LOC expires on August 31, 2028.
    File No. 22081: This LOC, held by Institute for Marine Mammal 
Studies (PI: Mobashir Solangi, Ph.D.), P.O. Box 207, Gulfport, 
Mississippi 39502, was extended on September 25, 2023. The

[[Page 35807]]

LOC authorizes vessel and aerial surveys using photo-identification, 
behavioral observations, photography, filming, and passive acoustic 
recordings to study bottlenose dolphins and other cetaceans, including 
Atlantic spotted, pantropical spotted (Stenella attenuata), and spinner 
(Stenella longirostris) dolphins, and pygmy sperm whales (Kogia 
breviceps) in select Mississippi and Louisiana waters. The extended LOC 
expires on December 1, 2024.
    File No. 22291-01. Amended LOC issued to Barbara Brunnick, Ph.D., 
Palm Beach Dolphin Project, Taras Oceanographic Foundation, 5905 
Stonewood Court, Jupiter, Florida 33468, on September 26, 2023. The LOC 
authorized vessel-based research for photo-identification, videography, 
and behavioral observations of bottlenose dolphins, Atlantic spotted 
dolphins, and ten other cetacean species in the nearshore and coastal 
waters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties, Florida. The amended LOC 
allows researchers to use unmanned aircraft systems as an additional 
platform to collect photographs, photogrammetry, and behavioral data. 
The LOC expires on June 30, 2025.
    File No. 24045: This LOC, held by Jeremy Kiszka, Ph.D., Florida 
International University, 3000 NE 151st Street, Marine Science 
Building, Room 250D, North Miami, Florida 33181, was extended on 
January 30, 2024. The LOC authorizes vessel-based surveys for photo-
identification, photography, videography, and behavioral observations 
of bottlenose and Atlantic spotted dolphins. Research may occur in 
Biscayne Bay and coastal waters of Broward and Miami Dade counties, 
Florida out to 200 m depth. The objectives of the research would not 
change. The extended LOC expires on February 10, 2025.
    File No. 27746: Issued to Barbara Clark, Outer Banks Center for 
Dolphin Research, P.O. Box 7721, Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina 
27948, on December 22, 2023. This LOC authorizes vessel surveys for 
close approach, photo-identification, and behavioral observations of 
bottlenose dolphins to monitor the presence, identity, ecology, and 
behavior of bottlenose dolphins within the sounds of North Carolina, 
including Roanoke Sound. The LOC expires on December 31, 2028.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), a final determination has been made that the 
activities are categorically excluded from the requirement to prepare 
an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.

    Dated: April 29, 2024.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-09531 Filed 5-1-24; 8:45 am]
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