[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 142 (Wednesday, July 24, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59898-59899]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-16237]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XE136]


Marine Mammals; File No. 27867

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 NMFS Southeast Fisheries 
Science Center, 75 Virginia Beach Drive, Miami, FL 33149 (Responsible 
Party: Mridula Srinivasan, Ph.D.), has applied in due form for a permit 
to conduct research on cetaceans, and import, export, and receive 
cetacean parts for scientific research.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before August 23, 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. 
27867 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. 27867 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 Jennifer 
Skidmore, (301) 427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit 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 (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 permit to conduct research in the 
western North Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. The 
objectives are to study cetacean stock structure, geographic range, 
population size, habitat, movement, vocalizations, reproduction, health 
status, and behavior. Up to 33 species of cetaceans may be targeted 
including the following ESA-listed species: blue (Balaenoptera 
musculus), fin (B. physalus), North Atlantic right (Eubalaena 
glacialis), Rice's (B. ricei), sei (B. borealis), and sperm (Physeter 
macrocephalus) whales. Research may occur year-round during vessel or 
aircraft surveys, including unmanned aircraft systems, for counts, 
photography, video recording (above and underwater), photogrammetry, 
thermal imaging, observations, passive acoustics, biological sampling 
(sloughed skin, exhaled air, feces, and skin and blubber biopsy), and 
tagging (suction-cup, dart, and deep-implant). In addition, the 
applicant is requesting authority to receive, import, and export 
cetacean parts. 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,

[[Page 59899]]

NMFS is forwarding copies of the application to the Marine Mammal 
Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.

    Dated: July 18, 2024.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-16237 Filed 7-23-24; 8:45 am]
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