Marine Mammals; Issuance of Permits, 71324-71325 [2020-24816]
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 217 / Monday, November 9, 2020 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[RTID 0648–XA620]
Marine Mammals; Issuance of Permits
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; issuance of permits.
AGENCY:
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 address of recipients.
ADDRESSES: The LOCs and related
documents are available for review
upon written request via email to
NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Amy Hapeman (LOC Nos. 19430,
23970), Carrie Hubard (LOC No. 22291),
Jordan Rutland (LOC Nos. 23673, 23772,
23782), Courtney Smith (LOC Nos.
18689, 18959, 19826, 23546), and Sara
Young (LOC No. 23253), at (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 Fiscal Year 2020
(October 1, 2019–September 30, 2020).
File No. 23253: Issued to Pacific
Mammal Research (Principal
Investigator [PI]: Cindy Elliser, Ph.D.),
1513 A Avenue, Anacortes, Washington,
98221, on December 23, 2019, this study
supplements current land-based visual
and photo-identification/behavior
surveys with boat-based photoidentification/behavior surveys and
unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)
surveys for population monitoring of
harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena)
and harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) in the
inland waters of Washington. The LOC
expires on December 31, 2024.
File No. 18689: The LOC, held by the
Wild Dolphin Project (PI: Denise
Herzing, Ph.D.), P.O. Box 8436, Jupiter,
Florida 33468, was extended on January
30, 2020, for approximately 6 months
while the holder’s new application (File
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:35 Nov 06, 2020
Jkt 253001
No. 23673) was in process (see below).
The LOC authorized vessel surveys,
photo-identification, and behavioral
observations on bottlenose (Tursiops
truncatus) and Atlantic spotted
(Stenella frontalis) dolphins and 12
other range-wide, non-Endangered
Species Act (ESA) listed cetacean
species within the coastal and offshore
waters of southeast Florida. The
objectives of the research did not
change. This LOC was subsequently
terminated on May 26, 2020, when a
new LOC (No. 23673; see below) was
issued to Dr. Herzing.
File No. 18959: The LOC, held by
Ruth Carmichael, Ph.D., Dauphin Island
Sea Lab, 101 Bienville Blvd., Dauphin
Island, Alabama 36528, was extended
on March 5, 2020, for approximately 3
months while the holder’s new
application (File No. 23772) was in
process (see below). The LOC
authorized vessel-based surveys of
bottlenose dolphins for behavioral
observations, photo-identification, and
photography/videography. The
objectives are to determine population
dynamics, abundance, movement
patterns, social structure, and
behavioral patterns of bottlenose
dolphins in the northern Gulf of
Mexico. This LOC was subsequently
terminated on June 16, 2020, when a
new LOC (No. 23772; see below) was
issued to Dr. Carmichael.
File No. 23546: Issued to Donna
Hauser, Ph.D., University of Alaska
Fairbanks, 2160 Koyukuk Drive, P.O.
Box 757340, Fairbanks, Alaska 99775,
on March 24, 2020. The LOC authorizes
the close approach of spotted seals
(Phoca largha) 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 LOC expires on April 1, 2025.
File No. 23673: Issued to the Wild
Dolphin Project (PI: Denise Herzing,
Ph.D.), on May 26, 2020, to conduct
vessel-based surveys for counts, photoidentification, photography, and
observation on 13 species: Atlantic
spotted, bottlenose, Fraser’s
(Lagenorhyncus hosei), pantropical
spotted (Stenella attenuatta), Risso’s
(Grampus griseus), spinner (Stenella
longirostris), striped (Stenella
coeruleoalba), and unidentified
lagenorhynchine (Lagenorhyncus spp.)
dolphins; false killer (Pseudorca
crassidens), unidentified beaked
PO 00000
Frm 00022
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
(Ziphius cavirostris and Mesoplodon
spp.), long-finned pilot (Globicephala
melas), short-finned pilot (Globicephala
macrorhynchus), and unidentified Kogia
(dwarf or pygmy sperm whale; Kogia
spp.) whales. Research will take place
within Florida waters of the Atlantic
Ocean and Gulf of Mexico from Martin
County through the Florida Keys
including in the Intracoastal Waterway,
coastal waters, and offshore waters. The
LOC expires on May 31, 2025.
File No. 23772: Issued to Ruth
Carmichael, Ph.D., Dauphin Island Sea
Lab, on June 16, 2020, to conduct
vessel-based surveys of bottlenose
dolphins for behavioral observations,
photo-identification, and photography/
videography. The objectives are to
determine population dynamics,
abundance, movement patterns, social
structure, and behavioral patterns of
bottlenose dolphins in the northern Gulf
of Mexico. This LOC expires June 30,
2020.
File No. 19430: The LOC, held by
Jonathan Scordino, Makah Tribe, Makah
Fisheries Management, P.O. Box 115,
150 Resort Drive, Neah Bay, WA 98357,
was extended on July 21, 2020, for
approximately 2 months while the
holder’s new application (File No.
23970, see below) was in process. The
LOC authorizes vessel surveys of
cetaceans and vessel and ground
surveys (including scat collection) of
pinnipeds in Washington State, with the
primary study area at the northwest tip
of the Olympic Peninsula. The purposes
of the research are to: (1) Document the
abundance and seasonal distribution
patterns of marine mammals in this
area, (2) determine diet overlap between
certain marine mammal species and
fisheries, (3) analyze scat for saxitoxin
and domoic acids from harmful algal
blooms, and (4) monitor the rate and
cause of entanglements for pinnipeds.
The extended LOC expired on
September 30, 2020.
File No. 19826: The LOC, issued to
Deanna Rees, U.S. Navy, Naval
Facilities Engineering Command
Atlantic, 6500 Hampton Blvd., Norfolk,
Virginia 23508, was extended on July
21, 2020, for approximately 4 months so
that the researchers can complete their
field season conducting ground surveys,
photo-identification, and behavioral
observations of gray (Halichoerus
grypus grypus), harbor, and harp (Phoca
groenlandica) seals in the lower
Chesapeake Bay, Virginia, and
Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island waters.
The purpose of the research is to
investigate site fidelity and movement
among haul-out locations, and to
improve baseline knowledge of
pinniped occurrence in areas adjacent to
E:\FR\FM\09NON1.SGM
09NON1
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 217 / Monday, November 9, 2020 / Notices
Navy training and testing areas. The
extended LOC expires on May 31, 2021.
File No. 22291: Issued to Barbara
Brunnick, Ph.D., Palm Beach Dolphin
Project, Taras Oceanographic
Foundation, 5905 Stonewood Court,
Jupiter, Florida 33468, on June 30, 2020,
to conduct vessel surveys for photoidentification, behavioral observations,
photography, and videography of
cetaceans in the near shore coastal
waters of Palm Beach and Martin
Counties, Florida. The objectives of the
research are to document the
abundance, distribution, population
dynamics, health, and habitat utilization
of bottlenose dolphins and Atlantic
spotted dolphins within the study area.
Other cetacean species that may be
studied if encountered are: Clymene
dolphin (Stenella clymene), dwarf and
pygmy sperm whales, melon-headed
whale (Peponocephala electra),
pantropical spotted dolphin, roughtoothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis),
short-beaked common dolphin
(Delphinus delphis delphis), shortfinned pilot whale, spinner dolphin,
and striped dolphin. The LOC expires
on June 30, 2025.
File No. 23782: Issued to Janet Mann,
Ph.D., Georgetown University, Reiss
Science Room 406, 3700 O St. NW,
Washington, DC 20057, on June 30,
2020 to conduct vessel-based surveys
for behavioral observations, photoidentification, passive acoustics, UAS
operations, and photography/
videography of bottlenose dolphins in
the Potomac River off the Northern Neck
of Virginia. The objectives are to
estimate seasonal abundance, habitat
use, ranging patterns, seasonal site
fidelity, dolphin-human interactions,
behavioral ecology, and social structure
of bottlenose dolphins. The LOC expires
on June 30, 2025.
File No. 23970: Issued to Jonathan
Scordino, Makah Tribe, Makah Fisheries
Management, on September 30, 2020, to
conduct (1) vessel surveys of 20
cetacean species for close approach;
photography/video; photoidentification; behavioral observations;
sloughed skin and feces collection; and
focal follows in waters from California
to Washington and Alaska; and (2)
vessel and ground surveys of 6 pinniped
species for counts, close approach,
photography/video, behavioral
observations, and scat collection in
Washington waters. The objective is to
document marine mammal abundance,
seasonal distribution patterns, vital
rates, diet, mixing ratios, genetics, and
interactions with humans. The LOC
replaces No. 19430 and expires on
September 30, 2025.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:35 Nov 06, 2020
Jkt 253001
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: November 4, 2020.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division,
Office of Protected Resources, National
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020–24816 Filed 11–6–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
Solicitation of Applications for the
Ocean Exploration Advisory Board
(OEAB)
Office of Ocean Exploration
and Research (OER), National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA), Department of Commerce
(DOC).
ACTION: Solicitation of applications.
AGENCY:
NOAA is soliciting
applications to fill up to four
membership vacancies on the Ocean
Exploration Advisory Board (OEAB).
DATES: Application materials must be
received no later than December 9,
2020.
ADDRESSES: Submit application
materials to Christa Rabenold via email:
christa.rabenold@noaa.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
David McKinnie, OEAB Designated
Federal Officer: 206–526–6950;
david.mckinnie@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NOAA is
soliciting applications to fill up to four
vacancies on the OEAB with individuals
demonstrating expertise in areas of
scientific research relevant to ocean
exploration, including marine
archaeology, or ocean-science education
and communication. Representatives of
other federal agencies involved in ocean
exploration are encouraged to apply.
The new OEAB members will serve
initial three-year terms, renewable once.
The purpose of the OEAB is to advise
the NOAA Administrator on matters
pertaining to ocean exploration. The
OEAB functions as an advisory body in
accordance with the Federal Advisory
Committee Act (FACA), as amended, 5
U.S.C. App., with the exception of
section 14. It reports to the NOAA
Administrator, as directed by 33 U.S.C.
3405.
SUMMARY:
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Frm 00023
Fmt 4703
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71325
The OEAB consists of approximately
ten members, including a chair and cochair(s), designated by the NOAA
Administrator in accordance with FACA
requirements and the terms of the
approved OEAB Charter.
The OEAB was established:
(1) To advise the Administrator on
priority areas for survey and discovery;
(2) To assist the program in the
development of a five-year strategic plan
for the fields of ocean, marine, and
Great Lakes science, exploration, and
discovery;
(3) To annually review the quality and
effectiveness of the proposal review
process established under section
12003(a)(4); and
(4) To provide other assistance and
advice as requested by the
Administrator.
OEAB members are appointed as
special government employees (SGEs)
and will be subject to the ethical
standards applicable to SGEs. Members
are reimbursed for actual and reasonable
expenses incurred in performing such
duties but will not be reimbursed for
their time. All OEAB members serve at
the discretion of the NOAA
Administrator.
The OEAB meets three to four times
each year, exclusive of subcommittee,
task force, and working group meetings.
As a Federal Advisory Committee, the
OEAB’s membership is required to be
balanced in terms of viewpoints
represented and the functions to be
performed as well as including the
interests of geographic regions of the
country and the diverse sectors of our
society.
For more information about the
OEAB, visit https://oeab.noaa.gov.
Although the OEAB reports directly to
the NOAA Administrator, OER, which
is part of the NOAA Office of Oceanic
and Atmospheric Research, provides
staffing and other support for the OEAB.
OER’s mission is to explore the ocean
for national benefit.
OER:
• Explores the ocean to make
discoveries of scientific, economic, and
cultural value, with priority given to the
U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone and
Extended Continental Shelf.
• Promotes technological innovation
to advance ocean exploration.
• Provides public access to data and
information.
• Encourages the next generation of
ocean explorers, scientists, and
engineers.
• Expands the national ocean
exploration program through
partnerships.
For more information about OER,
please visit https://
oceanexplorer.noaa.gov.
E:\FR\FM\09NON1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 217 (Monday, November 9, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71324-71325]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-24816]
[[Page 71324]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XA620]
Marine Mammals; Issuance of Permits
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 address
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. 19430, 23970),
Carrie Hubard (LOC No. 22291), Jordan Rutland (LOC Nos. 23673, 23772,
23782), Courtney Smith (LOC Nos. 18689, 18959, 19826, 23546), and Sara
Young (LOC No. 23253), at (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 Fiscal Year 2020 (October 1, 2019-September 30,
2020).
File No. 23253: Issued to Pacific Mammal Research (Principal
Investigator [PI]: Cindy Elliser, Ph.D.), 1513 A Avenue, Anacortes,
Washington, 98221, on December 23, 2019, this study supplements current
land-based visual and photo-identification/behavior surveys with boat-
based photo-identification/behavior surveys and unmanned aircraft
systems (UAS) surveys for population monitoring of harbor porpoise
(Phocoena phocoena) and harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) in the inland
waters of Washington. The LOC expires on December 31, 2024.
File No. 18689: The LOC, held by the Wild Dolphin Project (PI:
Denise Herzing, Ph.D.), P.O. Box 8436, Jupiter, Florida 33468, was
extended on January 30, 2020, for approximately 6 months while the
holder's new application (File No. 23673) was in process (see below).
The LOC authorized vessel surveys, photo-identification, and behavioral
observations on bottlenose (Tursiops truncatus) and Atlantic spotted
(Stenella frontalis) dolphins and 12 other range-wide, non-Endangered
Species Act (ESA) listed cetacean species within the coastal and
offshore waters of southeast Florida. The objectives of the research
did not change. This LOC was subsequently terminated on May 26, 2020,
when a new LOC (No. 23673; see below) was issued to Dr. Herzing.
File No. 18959: The LOC, held by Ruth Carmichael, Ph.D., Dauphin
Island Sea Lab, 101 Bienville Blvd., Dauphin Island, Alabama 36528, was
extended on March 5, 2020, for approximately 3 months while the
holder's new application (File No. 23772) was in process (see below).
The LOC authorized vessel-based surveys of bottlenose dolphins for
behavioral observations, photo-identification, and photography/
videography. The objectives are to determine population dynamics,
abundance, movement patterns, social structure, and behavioral patterns
of bottlenose dolphins in the northern Gulf of Mexico. This LOC was
subsequently terminated on June 16, 2020, when a new LOC (No. 23772;
see below) was issued to Dr. Carmichael.
File No. 23546: Issued to Donna Hauser, Ph.D., University of Alaska
Fairbanks, 2160 Koyukuk Drive, P.O. Box 757340, Fairbanks, Alaska
99775, on March 24, 2020. The LOC authorizes the close approach of
spotted seals (Phoca largha) 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 LOC expires on April 1, 2025.
File No. 23673: Issued to the Wild Dolphin Project (PI: Denise
Herzing, Ph.D.), on May 26, 2020, to conduct vessel-based surveys for
counts, photo-identification, photography, and observation on 13
species: Atlantic spotted, bottlenose, Fraser's (Lagenorhyncus hosei),
pantropical spotted (Stenella attenuatta), Risso's (Grampus griseus),
spinner (Stenella longirostris), striped (Stenella coeruleoalba), and
unidentified lagenorhynchine (Lagenorhyncus spp.) dolphins; false
killer (Pseudorca crassidens), unidentified beaked (Ziphius cavirostris
and Mesoplodon spp.), long-finned pilot (Globicephala melas), short-
finned pilot (Globicephala macrorhynchus), and unidentified Kogia
(dwarf or pygmy sperm whale; Kogia spp.) whales. Research will take
place within Florida waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico
from Martin County through the Florida Keys including in the
Intracoastal Waterway, coastal waters, and offshore waters. The LOC
expires on May 31, 2025.
File No. 23772: Issued to Ruth Carmichael, Ph.D., Dauphin Island
Sea Lab, on June 16, 2020, to conduct vessel-based surveys of
bottlenose dolphins for behavioral observations, photo-identification,
and photography/videography. The objectives are to determine population
dynamics, abundance, movement patterns, social structure, and
behavioral patterns of bottlenose dolphins in the northern Gulf of
Mexico. This LOC expires June 30, 2020.
File No. 19430: The LOC, held by Jonathan Scordino, Makah Tribe,
Makah Fisheries Management, P.O. Box 115, 150 Resort Drive, Neah Bay,
WA 98357, was extended on July 21, 2020, for approximately 2 months
while the holder's new application (File No. 23970, see below) was in
process. The LOC authorizes vessel surveys of cetaceans and vessel and
ground surveys (including scat collection) of pinnipeds in Washington
State, with the primary study area at the northwest tip of the Olympic
Peninsula. The purposes of the research are to: (1) Document the
abundance and seasonal distribution patterns of marine mammals in this
area, (2) determine diet overlap between certain marine mammal species
and fisheries, (3) analyze scat for saxitoxin and domoic acids from
harmful algal blooms, and (4) monitor the rate and cause of
entanglements for pinnipeds. The extended LOC expired on September 30,
2020.
File No. 19826: The LOC, issued to Deanna Rees, U.S. Navy, Naval
Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic, 6500 Hampton Blvd., Norfolk,
Virginia 23508, was extended on July 21, 2020, for approximately 4
months so that the researchers can complete their field season
conducting ground surveys, photo-identification, and behavioral
observations of gray (Halichoerus grypus grypus), harbor, and harp
(Phoca groenlandica) seals in the lower Chesapeake Bay, Virginia, and
Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island waters. The purpose of the research is
to investigate site fidelity and movement among haul-out locations, and
to improve baseline knowledge of pinniped occurrence in areas adjacent
to
[[Page 71325]]
Navy training and testing areas. The extended LOC expires on May 31,
2021.
File No. 22291: Issued to Barbara Brunnick, Ph.D., Palm Beach
Dolphin Project, Taras Oceanographic Foundation, 5905 Stonewood Court,
Jupiter, Florida 33468, on June 30, 2020, to conduct vessel surveys for
photo-identification, behavioral observations, photography, and
videography of cetaceans in the near shore coastal waters of Palm Beach
and Martin Counties, Florida. The objectives of the research are to
document the abundance, distribution, population dynamics, health, and
habitat utilization of bottlenose dolphins and Atlantic spotted
dolphins within the study area. Other cetacean species that may be
studied if encountered are: Clymene dolphin (Stenella clymene), dwarf
and pygmy sperm whales, melon-headed whale (Peponocephala electra),
pantropical spotted dolphin, rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis),
short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis delphis), short-finned
pilot whale, spinner dolphin, and striped dolphin. The LOC expires on
June 30, 2025.
File No. 23782: Issued to Janet Mann, Ph.D., Georgetown University,
Reiss Science Room 406, 3700 O St. NW, Washington, DC 20057, on June
30, 2020 to conduct vessel-based surveys for behavioral observations,
photo-identification, passive acoustics, UAS operations, and
photography/videography of bottlenose dolphins in the Potomac River off
the Northern Neck of Virginia. The objectives are to estimate seasonal
abundance, habitat use, ranging patterns, seasonal site fidelity,
dolphin-human interactions, behavioral ecology, and social structure of
bottlenose dolphins. The LOC expires on June 30, 2025.
File No. 23970: Issued to Jonathan Scordino, Makah Tribe, Makah
Fisheries Management, on September 30, 2020, to conduct (1) vessel
surveys of 20 cetacean species for close approach; photography/video;
photo-identification; behavioral observations; sloughed skin and feces
collection; and focal follows in waters from California to Washington
and Alaska; and (2) vessel and ground surveys of 6 pinniped species for
counts, close approach, photography/video, behavioral observations, and
scat collection in Washington waters. The objective is to document
marine mammal abundance, seasonal distribution patterns, vital rates,
diet, mixing ratios, genetics, and interactions with humans. The LOC
replaces No. 19430 and expires on September 30, 2025.
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: November 4, 2020.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-24816 Filed 11-6-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
