Marine Mammals; File No. 15324, 18533-18534 [2011-7956]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 64 / Monday, April 4, 2011 / Notices Councils, Commissions, and state and Federal agencies. SEDAR 25 ‘pre-Data, postAssessment’ Webinar series: Using datasets recommended from the Data Workshop, participants from both the data workshop and the assessment workshop will come together for two webinars to provide early modeling advice. Special Accommodations These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to the Council office (see ADDRESSES) at least 10 business days prior to the meeting. Dated: March 30, 2011. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2011–7914 Filed 4–1–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XA342 Marine Mammals; File No. 15682 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; receipt of application. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that Mithriel MacKay, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, TX 75003, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) [Principal Investigator: ¨ Bernd Wursig]. DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or before May 4, 2011. 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. 15682 from the list of available applications. These documents are also available upon written request or by appointment in the following offices: 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) 713–0376; and Emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:47 Apr 01, 2011 Jkt 223001 Southeast Region, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, Florida 33701; phone (727) 824–5312; fax (727) 824–5309. Written comments on this application should be submitted to the Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, at the address listed above. Comments may also be submitted by facsimile to (301) 713–0376, or by email to NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Please include the File No. in the subject line of the e-mail comment. Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a written request to the Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division at the address listed above. The request should set forth the specific reasons why a hearing on this application would be appropriate. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kristy Beard or Joselyd Garcia-Reyes, (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.), 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 222–226). The applicant requests a five-year permit to conduct research on humpback whales off Puerto Rico. The purpose of the research is to investigate the importance of smaller winter habitats used by humpback whales during the breeding/calving season. Each year, up to 700 humpback whales would be harassed during vessel-based photo-identification, behavioral observation, and passive acoustic recording and by divers during underwater photography. Whales would be harassed year-round, with efforts focused from October through July. A draft environmental assessment (EA) has been prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), to examine whether significant environmental impacts could result from issuance of the proposed scientific research permit. The draft EA is available for review and comment simultaneous with the scientific research permit application. 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. PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 18533 Dated: March 29, 2011. P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2011–7958 Filed 4–1–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XA341 Marine Mammals; File No. 15324 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; receipt of application. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation, Juneau, AK has applied for a permit to conduct research on marine mammals in Alaska. DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or before May 4, 2011. 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. 15324 from the list of available applications. These documents are also available upon written request or by appointment in the following offices: 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) 713–0376; and Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802–1668; phone (907) 586–7221; fax (907) 586–7249. Written comments on this application should be submitted to the Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, at the address listed above. Comments may also be submitted by facsimile to (301) 713–0376, or by email to NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Please include the File No. in the subject line of the e-mail comment. Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a written request to the Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division at the address listed above. The request should set forth the specific reasons why a hearing on this application would be appropriate. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\04APN1.SGM 04APN1 18534 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 64 / Monday, April 4, 2011 / Notices FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tammy Adams or Laura Morse, (301) 713–2289. 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 scientific research on spotted (Phoca largha), ringed (Phoca hispida), bearded (Erignathus barbatus), and ribbon seals (Histriophoca fasciata) in the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort seas of Alaska. The purpose of this research is to monitor the status and health of all four species by analyzing samples from the subsistence harvest and by documenting movements and habitat use by tracking animals with satellite transmitters. In addition to sampling harvested seals, the applicant would capture up to 200 individuals of each species per year. Captured seals would be measured and sampled (e.g., blood, blubber, skin, muscle, and whisker), and a subsample of these (120 per year per species) will be fitted with transmitters. The applicant also requests permission to harass non-target seals of each species and authorization for a limited number of research-related mortalities. Results of these studies would be used to monitor the health and status of each of the four species’ populations, improve population assessments, and develop mitigation measures to minimize disturbance to these species that are important to the indigenous people of Alaska for subsistence food, materials, and for cultural significance. Samples would be imported from Russia, Canada, Svalbard (Norway) and exported to Canada for analyses. 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. Emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with NOTICES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:47 Apr 01, 2011 Jkt 223001 Dated: March 29, 2011. P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2011–7956 Filed 4–1–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XA339 Marine Mammals; File No. 15271 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that James T. Harvey, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, 8272 Moss Landing Road, Moss Landing, CA 95039 has been issued a permit to conduct research on blue (Balaenoptera musculus), fin (B. physalus), humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), and gray (Eschrichtius robustus) whales. ADDRESSES: The permit and related documents are available for review upon written request or by appointment in the following offices: 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) 713–0376; Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, BIN C15700, Bldg. 1, Seattle, WA 98115–0700; phone (206) 526–6150; fax (206) 526–6426; and Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802–4213; phone (562) 980–4001; fax (562) 980–4018. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kristy Beard or Amy Hapeman, (301) 713–2289. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 31, 2010, notice was published in the Federal Register (75 FR 53271) that a request for a permit to conduct research on the species identified above had been submitted by the above-named applicant. The requested permit has been issued 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 SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222–226). The five-year permit authorizes research on large whale species off California, Oregon, and Washington; the primary research area is off the Southern California Bight, San Luis Obispo, Monterey Bay, and San Francisco. Researchers are authorized to approach whales for photoidentification and biopsy sampling. A subset of whales may be suction-cup tagged, dart-tagged, or tagged with small implantable tags. The permit also authorizes incidental harassment of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardii), Pacific white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens), Northern right whale dolphins (Lissodelphis borealis), harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) and short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis). An environmental assessment (EA) was prepared analyzing the effects of the permitted activities on the human environment in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). Based on the analyses in the EA, NMFS determined that issuance of the permit would not significantly impact the quality of the human environment and that preparation of an environmental impact statement was not required. That determination is documented in a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), signed on March 24, 2011. As required by the ESA, issuance of this permit was based on a finding that such permit: (1) Was applied for in good faith; (2) will not operate to the disadvantage of such endangered species; and (3) is consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the ESA. Dated: March 29, 2011. P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2011–7954 Filed 4–1–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XA344 Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\04APN1.SGM 04APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 64 (Monday, April 4, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18533-18534]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-7956]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA341


Marine Mammals; File No. 15324

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.

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

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Alaska Department of Fish and 
Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation, Juneau, AK has applied for a 
permit to conduct research on marine mammals in Alaska.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or 
before May 4, 2011.

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. 15324 from the list of available applications.
    These documents are also available upon written request or by 
appointment in the following offices:
    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) 713-0376; and
    Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668; phone 
(907) 586-7221; fax (907) 586-7249.
    Written comments on this application should be submitted to the 
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, at the address 
listed above. Comments may also be submitted by facsimile to (301) 713-
0376, or by e-mail to NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Please include the 
File No. in the subject line of the e-mail comment.
    Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a 
written request to the Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education 
Division at the address listed above. The request should set forth the 
specific reasons why a hearing on this application would be 
appropriate.

[[Page 18534]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tammy Adams or Laura Morse, (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 scientific 
research on spotted (Phoca largha), ringed (Phoca hispida), bearded 
(Erignathus barbatus), and ribbon seals (Histriophoca fasciata) in the 
Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort seas of Alaska. The purpose of this 
research is to monitor the status and health of all four species by 
analyzing samples from the subsistence harvest and by documenting 
movements and habitat use by tracking animals with satellite 
transmitters. In addition to sampling harvested seals, the applicant 
would capture up to 200 individuals of each species per year. Captured 
seals would be measured and sampled (e.g., blood, blubber, skin, 
muscle, and whisker), and a subsample of these (120 per year per 
species) will be fitted with transmitters. The applicant also requests 
permission to harass non-target seals of each species and authorization 
for a limited number of research-related mortalities. Results of these 
studies would be used to monitor the health and status of each of the 
four species' populations, improve population assessments, and develop 
mitigation measures to minimize disturbance to these species that are 
important to the indigenous people of Alaska for subsistence food, 
materials, and for cultural significance. Samples would be imported 
from Russia, Canada, Svalbard (Norway) and exported to Canada for 
analyses.
    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: March 29, 2011.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-7956 Filed 4-1-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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