[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 138 (Thursday, July 18, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 58341]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-15862]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XE121]


Marine Mammals; File No. 27858

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Maine Department of Marine 
Resources, 194 McKown Point Road, West Boothbay Harbor, ME 04575 (Sarah 
Leiter, Responsible Party), has applied in due form for a permit to 
conduct research on marine mammals.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before August 19, 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. 
27858 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. 27858 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 Carrie 
Hubard, (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 through 226).
    The applicant requests a 5-year research permit to study North 
Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) distribution, seasonality, 
density, abundance, and habitat use in the Gulf of Maine. An additional 
19 species of marine mammals may be harassed and opportunistically 
studied including the following ESA-listed species: blue (Balaenoptera 
musculus), fin (B. physalus), sei (B. borealis), and sperm (Physeter 
macrocephalus) whales. Research may occur year-round during vessel or 
manned aircraft surveys for counts, photography, video recording, 
observations, and passive acoustic recordings. 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: July 15, 2024.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-15862 Filed 7-17-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P