[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 157 (Wednesday, August 14, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 66068]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-17968]



[[Page 66068]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XE175]


Marine Mammals; File No. 27911

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 Ari Friedlaender, Ph.D., 
University of California at Santa Cruz, 115 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, 
CA 95060, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on 
eight whale species.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before September 13, 
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. 
27911 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. 27911 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: Amy Hapeman or Shasta McClenahan, 
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 proposes to conduct research on eight species of 
whales in the Southern Ocean to understand their population demography, 
health, behavior, and ecology. Species targeted for study are: 
Antarctic minke (Balaenoptera bonaerensis), Arnoux's beaked (B. 
arnouxii), endangered blue (B. musculus), endangered fin (B. physalus), 
humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), killer (Orcinus orca), endangered 
sei (B. borealis), endangered Southern right (Eubalaena australis) 
whales. Researchers would operate vessels and unmanned aircraft systems 
(UAS) to count, observe, photograph, biopsy sample, tag (suction-cup, 
dart, or deep implant), and track whales. Suction cup tags would be 
deployed by pole or UAS. A small number of adult humpback whales would 
receive two tag types at a time. Prey mapping would occur in the 
vicinity of some tagged whales. Biopsy samples would be imported into 
the United States for analysis and curation. See the application for 
take numbers by species. The permit would be valid for 5 years.
    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: August 6, 2024.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-17968 Filed 8-13-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P