Marine Mammals; File No. 27911, 66068 [2024-17968]

Download as PDF 66068 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 157 / Wednesday, August 14, 2024 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XE175] Marine Mammals; File No. 27911 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; receipt of application. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that Ari Friedlaender, Ph.D., University of California at Santa Cruz, 115 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on eight whale species. DATES: Written comments must be received on or before September 13, 2024. SUMMARY: 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 home page, https:// apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File No. 27911 from the list of available applications. These documents are also available upon written request via email to NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Written comments on this application should be submitted via email to NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Please include File No. 27911 in the subject line of the email comment. Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a written request via email to NMFS.Pr1Comments@ noaa.gov. The request should set forth the specific reasons why a hearing on this application would be appropriate. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Hapeman or Shasta McClenahan, Ph.D., (301) 427–8401. 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 parts 222–226). The applicant proposes to conduct research on eight species of whales in the Southern Ocean to understand their population demography, health, behavior, and ecology. Species targeted for study are: Antarctic minke (Balaenoptera bonaerensis), Arnoux’s ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 ADDRESSES: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:22 Aug 13, 2024 Jkt 262001 beaked (B. arnouxii), endangered blue (B. musculus), endangered fin (B. physalus), humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), killer (Orcinus orca), endangered sei (B. borealis), endangered Southern right (Eubalaena australis) whales. Researchers would operate vessels and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to count, observe, photograph, biopsy sample, tag (suction-cup, dart, or deep implant), and track whales. Suction cup tags would be deployed by pole or UAS. A small number of adult humpback whales would receive two tag types at a time. Prey mapping would occur in the vicinity of some tagged whales. Biopsy samples would be imported into the United States for analysis and curation. See the application for take numbers by species. The permit would be valid for 5 years. 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: August 6, 2024. Julia M. Harrison, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2024–17968 Filed 8–13–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XE173] Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the Office of Naval Research’s Arctic Research Activities in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas (Year 7) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; proposed incidental harassment authorization; request for comments on proposed authorization and possible renewal. AGENCY: NMFS has received a request from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) for authorization to take marine SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 mammals incidental to Arctic Research Activities (ARA) in the Beaufort Sea and eastern Chukchi Sea. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to incidentally take marine mammals during the specified activities. NMFS is also requesting comments on a possible one-time, 1-year renewal that could be issued under certain circumstances and if all requirements are met, as described in Request for Public Comments at the end of this notice. NMFS will consider public comments prior to making any final decision on the issuance of the requested MMPA authorization and agency responses will be summarized in the final notice of our decision. The ONR’s activities are considered military readiness activities pursuant to the MMPA, as amended by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (2004 NDAA). DATES: Comments and information must be received no later than September 13, 2024. ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to Jolie Harrison, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service and should be submitted via email to ITP.clevenstine@ noaa.gov. Electronic copies of the application and supporting documents, as well as a list of the references cited in this document, may be obtained online at: https:// www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/ marine-mammal-protection/incidentaltake-authorizations-military-readinessactivities. In case of problems accessing these documents, please call the contact listed below. Instructions: NMFS is not responsible for comments sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period. Comments, including all attachments, must not exceed a 25megabyte file size. All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted online at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/permit/ incidental-take-authorizations-undermarine-mammal-protection-act without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address) voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do not submit confidential business information or otherwise sensitive or protected information. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alyssa Clevenstine, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, (301) 427–8401. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\14AUN1.SGM 14AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 157 (Wednesday, August 14, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 66068]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-17968]



[[Page 66068]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XE175]


Marine Mammals; File No. 27911

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 Ari Friedlaender, Ph.D., 
University of California at Santa Cruz, 115 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, 
CA 95060, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on 
eight whale species.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before September 13, 
2024.

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 
home page, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File No. 
27911 from the list of available applications. These documents are also 
available upon written request via email to [email protected].
    Written comments on this application should be submitted via email 
to [email protected]. Please include File No. 27911 in the 
subject line of the email comment.
    Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a 
written request via email to [email protected]. The request 
should set forth the specific reasons why a hearing on this application 
would be appropriate.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Hapeman or Shasta McClenahan, 
Ph.D., (301) 427-8401.

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 parts 222-226).
    The applicant proposes to conduct research on eight species of 
whales in the Southern Ocean to understand their population demography, 
health, behavior, and ecology. Species targeted for study are: 
Antarctic minke (Balaenoptera bonaerensis), Arnoux's beaked (B. 
arnouxii), endangered blue (B. musculus), endangered fin (B. physalus), 
humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), killer (Orcinus orca), endangered 
sei (B. borealis), endangered Southern right (Eubalaena australis) 
whales. Researchers would operate vessels and unmanned aircraft systems 
(UAS) to count, observe, photograph, biopsy sample, tag (suction-cup, 
dart, or deep implant), and track whales. Suction cup tags would be 
deployed by pole or UAS. A small number of adult humpback whales would 
receive two tag types at a time. Prey mapping would occur in the 
vicinity of some tagged whales. Biopsy samples would be imported into 
the United States for analysis and curation. See the application for 
take numbers by species. The permit would be valid for 5 years.
    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: August 6, 2024.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-17968 Filed 8-13-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P


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