Marine Mammals; File No. 14241, 15940-15941 [E9-8004]

Download as PDF 15940 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 66 / Wednesday, April 8, 2009 / Notices evaluations of software for use by the intelligence community. Participation will be strictly voluntary. The regulated information will not be collected. The results of the data collected will be used to guide NIST research. Steps will be taken to ensure anonymity of respondents in each activity covered under this request. II. Method of Collection NIST will collect this information by electronic means when possible, as well as by mail, fax, telephone, and personto-person interviews. III. Data OMB Control Number: 0693–0043. Form Number: None. Type of Review: Regular submission. Affected Public: Individuals or households; State, local or tribal government, Federal government. Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,000. Estimated Time per Response: Varied, dependent upon the data collection method used. The response time will vary from 15 minutes to fill out a questionnaire to three hours to participate in an empirical study. Average response time is expected to be 1 hour. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,000. Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0. IV. Request for Comments rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record. Dated: April 3, 2009. Gwellnar Banks, Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. E9–7898 Filed 4–7–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–13–P VerDate Nov<24>2008 17:05 Apr 07, 2009 Jkt 217001 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XO45 Marine Mammals; File No. 14241 AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; receipt of application. SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Dr. Peter Tyack, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, Woods Hole, MA, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on marine mammals. DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e–mail comments must be received on or before May 8, 2009. 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 (APPS) home page, https:// apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File No. 14241 from the list of available applications. These documents are also available upon written request or by appointment in the following office(s): Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East–West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone (301)713–2289; fax (301)427–2521; Northeast Region, NMFS, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930; phone (978)281–9300; fax (978) 281– 9333; and Southeast Region, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, Florida 33701; phone (727)824–5312; fax (727)824–5309. Written comments or requests for a public hearing on this application should be mailed to the Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, F/PR1, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East–West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Those individuals requesting a hearing should set forth the specific reasons why a hearing on this particular request would be appropriate. Comments may also be submitted by facsimile at (301)427–2521, provided the facsimile is confirmed by hard copy submitted by mail and postmarked no later than the closing date of the comment period. Comments may also be submitted by e–mail. The mailbox address for providing e–mail comments is PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Include ‘‘File No. 14241’’ in the subject line of the e–mail comment as a document identifier. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tammy Adams or Carrie Hubard, (301)713–2289. 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.), and the regulations governing the taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216). The applicant requests a five-year permit to conduct research on cetacean behavior, sound production, and responses to sound. The research will contribute to conservation and management of the subject species by (1) collecting data on vocal behavior critical for estimating how well passive acoustic monitoring can detect and estimate abundance for different species, (2) determining what characteristics of exposure to specific sounds evoke what responses in marine mammals, and (3) studying behavioral responses including those that might relate to potential risks of stranding or entanglement in fishing gear. The research methods include tagging marine mammals with an advanced digital sound recording tag that records the acoustic stimuli an animal hears and measures vocalization, behavior, and physiological parameters. Another method involves conducting sound playbacks in a carefully controlled manner at received levels up to 180 dB re 1 microPa and measuring animals’ responses. The principal study species are beaked whales, especially Cuvier’s beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris), and large delphinids such as long–finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas). The location for the field work involving playback is near the Mediterranean Sea; the location for tagging to study risks of entanglement is mid–Atlantic states, especially near Cape Hatteras; and the location for studying pre–stranding behavior is Cape Cod Bay. Please refer to the tables in the application for a complete list of species and associated research activities by location. 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 E:\FR\FM\08APN1.SGM 08APN1 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 66 / Wednesday, April 8, 2009 / Notices application to the Marine Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors. Dated: April 2, 2009. P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E9–8004 Filed 4–7–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN: 0648–XO49 Caribbean Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public meetings. The Caribbean Fishery Management Council will hold public meetings to obtain input from fishers, the general public, and the local agencies representatives on the Regulatory Amendment to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Fishery of Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands Concerning Bajo de Sico Seasonal Closure including a Regulatory Impact Review and an Environmental Assessment. DATES: The meetings will be held on the following dates and locations: •April 22, 2009, Frenchman’s Reef and Morning Star Hotel, 5 Estate Bakkeroe, St. Thomas, USVI •April 23, 2009, Buccaneer Hotel, Estate Shoys, Christtiansted, St. Croix, USVI •April 27, 2009, Mayaguez Resort and Casino, Rd. 104, Km. 0.3, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico All meetings will be held from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Caribbean Fishery Management Council, 268 Munoz Rivera Avenue, Suite 1108, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00918–2577; telephone: (787) 766–5926. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Caribbean Fishery Management Council will hold public meetings to receive public input on the Regulatory Amendment to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Fishery of Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands concerning Bajo de Sico seasonal closure including a Regulatory Impact Review and an Environmental Assessment. The purpose of this rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Nov<24>2008 17:05 Apr 07, 2009 Jkt 217001 regulatory amendment is to protect the snapper and grouper spawning aggregations and the associated habitat from directed fishing pressure to achieve a more natural sex ratio, age and size structure, while minimizing adverse social and economic effects. Currently, the area is closed to all fishing activity from December 1 through the end of February, each year. In addition, fishing with pot, trap, bottom longlines, gillnets or trammel nets is prohibited year-round. The proposed management alternatives are: Action 1: Extend the closed season for Bajo de Sico (year-round gear restrictions already in place will not be affected) Alternative 1: No actiondo not extend the seasonal closure of Bajo de Sico. Alternative 2: (Preferred) Establish a 6 month closure of Bajo de Sico from October 1 to March 31 in order to provide better protection for spawning aggregations of large snappers and groupers as well as coral reef habitat. Option a: prohibit fishing for all species, including Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Option b: prohibit fishing for and possession of all species, including HMS Option c: prohibit fishing for Council managed species Option d: (Preferred) prohibit fishing for and possession of Council managed species Alternative 3: Establish a 6 month closure of Bajo de Sico from December 1 to May 31 in order to provide better protection for spawning aggregations of large snappers and groupers as well as coral reef habitat. Option a: prohibit fishing for all species, including HMS Option b: prohibit fishing for and possession of all species, including HMS Option c: prohibit fishing for Council managed species Option d: prohibit fishing for and possession of Council managed species Alternative 4: Extend closure of Bajo de Sico to 12 months in order to provide full protection for spawning aggregations of large snappers and groupers as well as coral reef habitat. Option a: prohibit fishing for all species, including HMS Option b: prohibit fishing for and possession of all species, including HMS Option c: prohibit fishing for Council managed species Option d: prohibit fishing for and possession of Council managed species Action 2: Prohibit anchoring by fishing vessels PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 15941 Alternative 1: No action—do not prohibit anchoring by fishing vessels Alternative 2: Prohibit anchoring for six (6 months). The six (6)-month closure will coincide with the closure period chosen in action 1. Alternative 3: (Preferred) Prohibit anchoring year round. Although non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come before this group for discussion, in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), those issues may not be the subject of formal action during these meetings. Actions will be restricted to those issues specifically identified in this notice and any issues arising after publication of this notice that require emergency action under section 305 (c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, provided the public has been notified of the Council’s intent to take final action to address the emergency. Special Accommodations These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. For more information or request for sign language interpretation and other auxiliary aids, please contact Mr. Miguel A. Rolon, Executive Director, Caribbean Fishery Management Council, 268 Munoz Rivera Avenue, Suite 1108, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00918–2577; telephone: (787) 766–5926, at least 5 days prior to the meeting date. Dated: April 3, 2009. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E9–8006 Filed 4–7–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Notice of Intent To Conduct Restoration Planning To Evaluate Potential Injuries to Natural Resources and Services Resulting From the Discharge of Oil From the Tank Barge (T/B) DBL 152 in the Gulf of Mexico AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of Intent to Conduct Restoration Planning to evaluate potential injuries to natural resources and services resulting from the discharge of oil from the Tank Barge (T/B) DBL 152 in the Gulf of Mexico. NOAA also seeks public involvement in E:\FR\FM\08APN1.SGM 08APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 66 (Wednesday, April 8, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15940-15941]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-8004]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XO45


Marine Mammals; File No. 14241

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Dr. Peter Tyack, Woods Hole 
Oceanographic Institute, Woods Hole, MA, has applied in due form for a 
permit to conduct research on marine mammals.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or 
before May 8, 2009.

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 
(APPS) home page, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File 
No. 14241 from the list of available applications.
    These documents are also available upon written request or by 
appointment in the following office(s):
    Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 
20910; phone (301)713-2289; fax (301)427-2521;
    Northeast Region, NMFS, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 
01930; phone (978)281-9300; fax (978) 281-9333; and
    Southeast Region, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, 
Florida 33701; phone (727)824-5312; fax (727)824-5309.
    Written comments or requests for a public hearing on this 
application should be mailed to the Chief, Permits, Conservation and 
Education Division, F/PR1, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 
East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Those 
individuals requesting a hearing should set forth the specific reasons 
why a hearing on this particular request would be appropriate.
    Comments may also be submitted by facsimile at (301)427-2521, 
provided the facsimile is confirmed by hard copy submitted by mail and 
postmarked no later than the closing date of the comment period.
    Comments may also be submitted by e-mail. The mailbox address for 
providing e-mail comments is NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Include ``File 
No. 14241'' in the subject line of the e-mail comment as a document 
identifier.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tammy Adams or Carrie Hubard, 
(301)713-2289.

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.), and the regulations governing the 
taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    The applicant requests a five-year permit to conduct research on 
cetacean behavior, sound production, and responses to sound. The 
research will contribute to conservation and management of the subject 
species by (1) collecting data on vocal behavior critical for 
estimating how well passive acoustic monitoring can detect and estimate 
abundance for different species, (2) determining what characteristics 
of exposure to specific sounds evoke what responses in marine mammals, 
and (3) studying behavioral responses including those that might relate 
to potential risks of stranding or entanglement in fishing gear. The 
research methods include tagging marine mammals with an advanced 
digital sound recording tag that records the acoustic stimuli an animal 
hears and measures vocalization, behavior, and physiological 
parameters. Another method involves conducting sound playbacks in a 
carefully controlled manner at received levels up to 180 dB re 1 
microPa and measuring animals' responses. The principal study species 
are beaked whales, especially Cuvier's beaked whale (Ziphius 
cavirostris), and large delphinids such as long-finned pilot whales 
(Globicephala melas). The location for the field work involving 
playback is near the Mediterranean Sea; the location for tagging to 
study risks of entanglement is mid-Atlantic states, especially near 
Cape Hatteras; and the location for studying pre-stranding behavior is 
Cape Cod Bay. Please refer to the tables in the application for a 
complete list of species and associated research activities by 
location.
    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

[[Page 15941]]

application to the Marine Mammal Commission and its Committee of 
Scientific Advisors.

    Dated: April 2, 2009.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E9-8004 Filed 4-7-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.