[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 92 (Wednesday, May 14, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20462-20463]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-08515]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XE595]
Marine Mammals; Issuance of Letters of Confirmation
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; issuance of permits.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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. 27917, and
27920), Erin Markin, Ph.D. (LOC Nos. 27902 and 27993), Shasta
McClenahan, Ph.D. (LOC No. 22856-01, 27369-01, and 28117), and Courtney
Smith, Ph.D. (LOC Nos. 22587-01, 23546, 23782-01, 27595, and 28261), 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 in the calendar year 2024 (January 1, 2024--December
31, 2024).
File No. 22587-01: This LOC, held by Dolphin Research Center
(Principal Investigator [PI]: Armando Rodriguez), P.O. Box 522875,
Marathon Shores, Florida 33052, was extended on January 30, 2024, while
the holder's new application was in process. The LOC authorizes the use
of vessel and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for photo-identification,
behavioral observations, photography, photogrammetry, passive acoustic
recordings, and breath sampling of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops
truncatus) in the middle Florida Keys. The objective of the research is
to evaluate the health, behavior, and structure of the local dolphin
population. The objectives of the research did not change. The LOC was
subsequently terminated on March 15, 2024, when a separate LOC was
issued (No. 27595, see below).
File No. 27595: Issued to Dolphin Research Center (PI: Armando
Rodriguez), 58901 Overseas Highway, Grassy Key, Florida 33050, on March
15, 2024. The LOC authorizes research on bottlenose dolphins in the
middle Florida Keys using vessel surveys for counts, photo-
identification, passive acoustic recording, behavioral observations,
and unmanned aircraft flights for photogrammetry and breath sampling.
The objectives of the research are to establish a cohesive estimation
of the distribution, residency, behavior, health, and movement patterns
for bottlenose dolphins in the middle Florida Keys. The LOC expires
March 15, 2029.
File No. 27917: Issued to Melissa Laurino, Cape May Marine Mammal
Research Center, P.O. Box 474, Cape May, New Jersey 08204, on March 26,
2024. The LOC authorizes research on bottlenose dolphins, harbor
porpoises (Phocoena phocoena), and humpback whales (Megaptera
novaeangliae) in Delaware Bay and adjacent Atlantic waters off Cape
May, New Jersey using vessel surveys for counts, photo-identification,
and behavioral observations. The main objective of the research is to
assess site fidelity, distribution and abundance, habitat utilization,
foraging and mating ecology, social structure and networks,
anthropogenic interactions, and general health. The LOC expires March
31, 2029.
File No. 23546: This LOC, held by Donna Hauser, Ph.D., University
of Alaska Fairbanks, 2160 Koyukuk Drive, Fairbanks, Alaska 99775, was
extended on April 11, 2024. The LOC authorizes the close approach of
spotted seals (Phoca largha, Alaska stock) in coastal haulouts in the
Chukchi and Beaufort Seas of northern Alaska using ground and UAS
surveys to conduct photo-identification, behavioral observations and
monitoring, and remote video monitoring. Research objectives are to
investigate the distribution, habitat use, foraging ecology, health,
population structure, behavior, and abundance. Scat, spew, shed skin or
hair may also be collected. The extended LOC expires on April 1, 2026.
File No. 27902: Issued to Tara Cox, Ph.D., Savannah State
University, P.O. Box 20467, Savannah, Georgia 31404, on April 18, 2024,
with an effective date of June 1, 2024. This LOC authorizes vessel or
unmanned aircraft systems surveys for close approach, photo-
identification, behavioral observations, and passive acoustic
recordings within Georgia waters and the adjacent Atlantic Ocean.
Research objectives are to understand the social structure, foraging
ecology, life history, and population structure of bottlenose,
pantropical spotted (Stenella attenuata), and Atlantic spotted (S.
frontalis) dolphins. The LOC expires on May 31, 2029.
File No. 27920: Issued to the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network
(Responsible Party [RP]: Heidi Whitehead), 4700 Avenue U, Galveston,
Texas 77551, on April 22, 2024. The LOC authorizes research on
bottlenose dolphins in Texas waters using vessel surveys for counts,
photo-identification, photography/videography, and behavioral
observations. The objectives of the research are to (1) augment current
photo-identification catalogs and inform spatial capture-mark-recapture
analysis, (2) examine dolphin spatiotemporal habitat-use and site
fidelity, (3) study dolphin behavioral ecology, and (4) assess injuries
to identify localized anthropogenic risks to stocks. The LOC expires
April 30, 2029.
File No. 27369: Issued to Stephen McCulloch, Protect Wild Dolphins
Alliance, Inc., 307 Saint Thomas Avenue, Key Largo, Florida 33037, on
[[Page 20463]]
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.
This LOC was amended on April 26, 2024, to authorize passive acoustic
monitoring to study dolphin communication. The LOC expires on August
31, 2028.
File No. 27993: Issued to Alaska Department of Fish and Game (RP:
Lori Polasek, Ph.D.), P.O. Box 115526, Juneau, Alaska 99811-5526 on May
9, 2024. This LOC authorizes close approach by vessel, manned aerial,
and UAS surveys for counts, photo-identification, and behavioral
observations of harbor porpoise within southeast Alaska waters.
Unintentional harassment of unidentified cetaceans and pinnipeds may
occur during surveys. Research objectives are to derive estimates of
abundance, density, and population structure of harbor porpoise stocks.
The LOC expires on May 14, 2029.
File No. 23782-01: Issued to Janet Mann, Ph.D., Georgetown
University, Department of Biology, Reiss Science Room 406, 3700 O St.
NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20057, on June 7, 2024. This
amended LOC authorizes photogrammetry and adds a new study objective to
conduct sex-specific growth assessments of bottlenose dolphins
(Tursiops spp.) in the lower Potomac River, Virginia, following the
2015 Unusual Mortality Event. Additionally, the LOC was extended, to
expire on June 30, 2026.
File No. 22856-01: This LOC, held by Patricia Fair, Ph.D., South
Carolina Aquarium, 100 Aquarium Wharf, Charleston, South Carolina 29401
was extended on July 22, 2024, while the holder's new application (File
No. 28083) is in process. The LOC authorizes vessel and UAS-based
research for photo-identification, photogrammetry, and behavioral
observations of bottlenose dolphins in waters near Charleston, South
Carolina. The objectives of the research would not change. The extended
LOC was set to expire on August 31, 2025. However, it was subsequently
terminated on January 29, 2025, when a separate LOC was issued (No.
28083).
File No. 28117: Issued to Joseph Warren, Ph.D., Stony Brook
University, Stony Brook, New York 11794, on November 14, 2024. This LOC
authorizes photogrammetry, photography, video, counts, and observations
during shore-based UAS flights off Long Island, New York. The objective
of the research is to study marine mammals and their prey in New York's
nearshore environment, including abundance, distribution, size,
foraging dynamics, and surface behaviors. Targeted species include
bottlenose and Atlantic white-sided dolphins, harbor porpoise, humpback
and minke (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) whales, and gray (Halichoerus
grypus) and harbor (Phoca vitulina) seals. The LOC expires on December
31, 2027.
File No. 28261: Issued to Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (RP:
Mobashir Solangi, Ph.D.), 10801 Dolphin Lane, Gulfport, MS 39503 on
December 11, 2024. This LOC authorizes counts, photo-identification,
photography/videography, behavioral observations, and passive acoustic
recordings of Atlantic spotted (Stenella frontalis), bottlenose,
pantropical spotted (Stenella attenuata), and spinner (Stenella
longirostris) dolphins; and pygmy sperm whales (Kogia breviceps) during
vessel and aerial surveys within coastal and estuarine waters of
Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama. The objective of the research is
to evaluate the long-term population trends, behavior, acoustics, and
health of cetaceans utilizing the study area. The LOC expires on
December 15, 2029.
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: May 9, 2025.
Kimberly Damon-Randall,
Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-08515 Filed 5-13-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P