[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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