Marine Mammals; File Nos. 16239 and 17312, 60852 [2013-24072]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 191 (Wednesday, October 2, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 60852]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-24072]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XC268


Marine Mammals; File Nos. 16239 and 17312

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

ACTION: Notice; issuance of permits.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that permits have been issued to Dan 
Engelhaupt, Ph.D., HDR EOC, 5700 Lake Wright Drive, Norfolk, VA 23502-
1859, and Scripps Institution of Oceanography [Responsible Party: John 
Hildebrand, Ph.D.], University of California, 8635 Discovery Way, La 
Jolla, CA 92093 to conduct research on marine mammals in the Atlantic 
and Pacific Oceans.

ADDRESSES: The permits and related documents are available for review 
upon written request or by appointment in the following offices: See 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For File No. 16239: Kristy Beard or 
Carrie Hubard and for File No. 17312: Amy Hapeman or Carrie Hubard, 
(301)427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 5, 2012 and April 19, 2013 
notices were published in the Federal Register (77 FR 60966 and 78 FR 
23538) for No. 16239 and No. 17312, respectively, that requests for 
permits to conduct research on marine mammals had been submitted by the 
above-named applicants. The requested permits have 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 
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226).
    Permit No. 16239 authorizes all species of cetaceans and pinnipeds 
to be harassed during vessel and aerial survey activities, including 
behavioral observations and photo-identification. Cetacean species may 
also be harassed during underwater photography and collection of 
sloughed skin and fecal samples. Surveys may be conducted year-round in 
all U.S. and international waters in the Pacific Ocean (including 
Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, Hawaii, Guam, Marianas Islands, 
and other U.S. territories) and Atlantic Ocean (including the Gulf of 
Mexico, western North Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Sargasso Seas). The 
permit is valid for five years from the date of issuance.
    Permit No. 17312 authorizes research on 35 cetacean species and 
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. Researchers may: 
(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. The permit is valid for five years from the 
date of issuance.
    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 proposed are categorically excluded from the requirement to 
prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.
    As required by the ESA, issuance of the permits was based on a 
finding that such permits: (1) Were applied for in good faith; (2) will 
not operate to the disadvantage of such endangered species; and (3) are 
consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the 
ESA.
    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;
    Northeast Region, NMFS, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 
01930; phone (978)281-9328; fax (978) 281-9394; and
    Southeast Region, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, FL 
33701; phone (727)824-5312; fax (727)824-5309.

    Dated: September 27, 2013.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-24072 Filed 10-1-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P