Marine Mammals; File No. 17312, 23538-23539 [2013-09249]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 76 (Friday, April 19, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23538-23539]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-09249]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XC628


Marine Mammals; File No. 17312

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 Scripps Institution of 
Oceanography [Responsible Party: John Hildebrand, Ph.D.], University of 
California, 8635 Discovery Way, La Jolla, CA 92093, has applied in due 
form for a permit to conduct research on 35 cetacean species/stocks, 
including the following endangered whales: blue (Balaenoptera 
musculus), fin (B. physalus), sei (B. borealis), Southern Resident 
stock of killer (Orcinus orca), Hawaii insular stock of false killer 
(Pseudorca crassidens), sperm (Physeter macrocephalus), North Pacific 
right (Eubalaena japonica), and humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae) 
whales.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before May 20, 2013.

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. 17312 from the list of available applications.
    These documents are also available upon written request or by 
appointment in the following offices: See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
    Written comments on this application should be submitted to the 
Chief, Permits and Conservation 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 email comment.
    Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a 
written request to the Chief, Permits and Conservation 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: Amy Hapeman or Carrie Hubard, 
(301)427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is requested under the 
authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended

[[Page 23539]]

(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 is requesting a 5-year research permit to study 35 
cetacean species or stocks during vessel surveys in the Pacific Ocean 
and Gulf of Mexico to understand cetaceans' use of sound, their 
sensitivity to anthropogenic sound, and impacts of the Deepwater 
Horizon oil spill. The applicant requests authority to: (1) Photograph 
cetaceans for identification to determine abundance, movements and 
population structure; (2) collect biopsies and fecal samples to 
determine taxonomy, sex, relatedness and stock structure of cetaceans; 
and (3) suction-cup tag, track, and collect passive acoustic recordings 
to study cetacean diving behavior, calling behavior, feeding, and 
movements.
    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.
    Documents may be reviewed in the following locations:
    Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; 
phone (301)427-8401; 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;
    Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668; phone 
(907)586-7221; fax (907)586-7249;
    Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long 
Beach, CA 90802-4213; phone (562)980-4001; fax (562)980-4018;
    Pacific Islands Region, NMFS, 1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Rm 1110, 
Honolulu, HI 96814-4700; phone (808)944-2200; fax (808)973-2941; and
    Southeast Region, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, FL 
33701; phone (727)824-5312; fax (727)824-5309.

    Dated: April 16, 2013.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-09249 Filed 4-18-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P