81 FR 91920 - Marine Mammals and Endangered Species; File Nos. 19225, 19257, 19315, 19674, and 20599
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 243 (December 19, 2016)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 243 (December 19, 2016)
| Page Range | 91920-91921 | |
| FR Document | 2016-30414 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 243 (Monday, December 19, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 91920-91921] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-30414] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648-XE417, 0648-XE061, 0648-XE815, and 0648-XE908 Marine Mammals and Endangered Species; File Nos. 19225, 19257, 19315, 19674, and 20599 AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; issuance of permits. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that permits have been issued to the following entities: Permit No. 19225: James D. Darling, Ph.D., Whale Trust, P.O. Box 384, Tofino, BC V0R2Z0 Canada; Permit No. 19257: Ann M. Zoidis, Director, Cetos Research Organization, 11 Des Isle Avenue, Bar Harbor, ME 04609; Permit No. 19315: Center for Coastal Studies, Right Whale Ecology Program, 5 Holway Avenue, P.O. Box 1036, Provincetown, MA 02657 [Responsible Party: Richard Delaney]; Permit No. 19674: Scott Kraus, Ph.D., New England Aquarium, Edgerton Research Lab, Central Wharf, Boston MA 02110; and Permit No. 20599: NMFS Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Antarctic Ecosystem Research Division, La Jolla, California [Responsible Party: George Watters, Ph.D.]. ADDRESSES: The permits and related documents are available for review upon written request or by appointment in the 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. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rosa Gonz[aacute]lez (File Nos. 19225 and 19257), Carrie Hubard (File Nos. 19225 and 19257), Amy Hapeman (File Nos. 19315 and 19674), and Sara Young (File Nos. 19315, 19674, 20599). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notices were published in the Federal Register that requests for a permit had been submitted by the above- named applicants. The requested permits have been issued under 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 [[Page 91921]] taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226), as applicable. Permit No. 19225: The requested permit (81 FR 5990, November 1, 2016) authorizes Dr. Darling to use passive acoustic monitoring, active playbacks, suction cup and dart tagging, biopsy sampling, underwater photography/videography, photo ID and photogrammetry during aerial and vessel surveys to address a variety of questions regarding social organization, behavior, and communication of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). Research may occur off Hawaii (primarily off west Maui), and Alaska. Incidental harassment is authorized for the following non- target species: North Pacific right whales (Eubalaena japonica); false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens); Dall's porpoises (Phocoenoides dalli); spinner (Stenella longirostris), pantropical spotted (S. attenuata), and bottlenose dolphins (Turisiops truncatus); killer whales (Orcinus orca); Hawaiian monk seals (Neomonachus schauinslandi); harbor seals (Phoca vitulina); and Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus). The permit is valid until October 31, 2021. Permit No. 19257: The requested permit (80 FR 59736, November 1, 2016) authorizes Ms. Zoidis to use passive acoustic monitoring, suction cup tagging, biopsy sampling, underwater photography/videography, and photo ID during vessel surveys in Hawaii and the Mariana Islands (Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) to address a variety of questions regarding population size, habitat use, and behavior of baleen and odontocete species. The research would target humpback whales and 25 other species of whales and dolphins. Species may undergo all methodologies (except right whales, which will not be tagged). Incidental harassment for all species is also authorized. Research would take place throughout the year. The permit is valid until October 31, 2021. Permit No. 19315: The requested permit (81 FR 59192, August 29, 2016) authorizes researchers to conduct vessel and aerial surveys of North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) and bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) opportunistically in Atlantic waters from Maine to New Jersey to gain a better understanding of right whale population status, relationship to habitat conditions, distribution and abundance, movement patterns, and interactions with human activities. Surveys may involve approach for observation, photo-identification, and prey mapping. Up to 16 other species of cetaceans and four species of pinnipeds may be incidentally harassed during surveys. The request to suction cup tag a subset of right whales was denied. The permit is valid for five years from the date of issuance. Permit No. 19674: The requested permit (81 FR 59192, August 29, 2016) authorizes Dr. Kraus to conduct vessel and aerial surveys of North Atlantic right whales in U.S. and international waters of the North Atlantic from Florida to Iceland to assess, quantify, and track trends in the demographic characteristics of right whales; and to identify, quantify and monitor the long term trends in anthropogenic impacts on the species. Surveys may involve approach for observation, photo-identification, and biopsy and blow sampling, thermal imaging, passive acoustic recording, collection of sloughed skin and feces, photogrammetry, and/or incidental harassment of right whales. Right whale parts may be received, imported or exported. Humpback whales, harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena), and Atlantic white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus acutus) may be incidentally harassed during vessel surveys. The permit is valid for five years from the date of issuance. Permit No. 20599: The requested permit (81 FR 66928, September 29, 2016) authorizes researchers to take Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella), southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina), crabeater seals (Lobodon carcinophagus), leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx), Ross seals (Ommatophoca rossii), and Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) for life history studies and census surveys for abundance and distribution of pinnipeds in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, as part of a long-term ecosystem monitoring program established in 1986. The applicant also requests permission to import tissue samples collected from any animals captured and from salvaged carcasses of any species of pinniped or cetacean found in the study area. 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, as applicable, issuance of these permit 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. Dated: December 13, 2016. Julia Harrison, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2016-30414 Filed 12-16-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![91920 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 243 / Monday, December 19, 2016 / Notices
ACTION: Notice; receipt of application. Navy training or other activities. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Research activities may occur year-
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that round in the Atlantic Ocean from National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Ann Pabst, Ph.D., University of North Delaware Bay to Cape Canaveral, FL, Administration
Carolina Wilmington, Biology and
and will include aerial and vessel RIN 0648–XE417, 0648–XE061, 0648–XE815,
Marine Biology, 601 S. College Road,
surveys to conduct counts, photo- and 0648–XE908
Wilmington, NC 28403, has applied in
due form for a permit to conduct identification, photogrammetry, and
behavioral observations. ESA-listed Marine Mammals and Endangered
research on marine mammals. Species; File Nos. 19225, 19257, 19315,
species include up to 40 blue
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email 19674, and 20599
(Balaenoptera musculus), 100 fin (B.
comments must be received on or before
January 18, 2017. physalus), 200 North Atlantic right, 40 AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
sei (B. borealis), and 150 sperm Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
ADDRESSES: The application and related
(Physeter macrocephalus) whales. Non- Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
documents are available for review by
listed species include 100 Cuvier’s Commerce.
selecting ‘‘Records Open for Public
Comment’’ from the ‘‘Features’’ box on beaked (Ziphius cavirostris), 100 false ACTION: Notice; issuance of permits.
the Applications and Permits for killer (Pseudorca crassidens), 100
Protected Species (APPS) home page, Gervais’ beaked (Mesoplodon SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that
https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then europaeus), 200 humpback, 50 killer permits have been issued to the
selecting File No. 20527 from the list of (Orcinus orca), 100 melon-headed following entities:
available applications. (Peponocephala electra), 100 minke (B. Permit No. 19225: James D. Darling,
These documents are also available acutorostrata), 5,000 pilot (Globicephala Ph.D., Whale Trust, P.O. Box 384,
upon written request or by appointment spp.), 100 pygmy and dwarf sperm Tofino, BC V0R2Z0 Canada;
in the Permits and Conservation (Kogia spp.), 100 pygmy killer (Feresa Permit No. 19257: Ann M. Zoidis,
Division, Office of Protected Resources, attenuata), 100 True’s beaked (M. Director, Cetos Research Organization,
NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room mirus), and 100 unidentified beaked 11 Des Isle Avenue, Bar Harbor, ME
13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone whales; 5,000 Atlantic spotted (Stenella 04609;
(301) 427–8401; fax (301) 713–0376. frontalis), 8,000 bottlenose (Tursiops Permit No. 19315: Center for Coastal
Written comments on this application Studies, Right Whale Ecology Program,
truncatus), 1,000 Clymene (S. clymene),
should be submitted to the Chief, 5 Holway Avenue, P.O. Box 1036,
1,000 common (Delphinus delphis), 100
Permits and Conservation Division, at Provincetown, MA 02657 [Responsible
Fraser’s (Lagenodelphis hosei), 100 Party: Richard Delaney];
the address listed above. Comments may pantropical spotted (S. attenuata), 2,500
also be submitted by facsimile to (301) Permit No. 19674: Scott Kraus, Ph.D.,
Risso’s (Grampus griseus), 500 rough- New England Aquarium, Edgerton
713–0376, or by email to toothed (Steno bredanensis), 200
NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Please Research Lab, Central Wharf, Boston
spinner (S. longirostris), and 1,000 MA 02110; and
include the File No. in the subject line striped (S. coeruleoalba) dolphins; and
of the email comment. Permit No. 20599: NMFS Southwest
100 harbor porpoise (Phocoena Fisheries Science Center, Antarctic
Those individuals requesting a public
hearing should submit a written request phocoena). The permit would be valid Ecosystem Research Division, La Jolla,
to the Chief, Permits and Conservation for 5 years from the date of issuance. California [Responsible Party: George
Division at the address listed above. The In compliance with the National Watters, Ph.D.].
request should set forth the specific Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 ADDRESSES: The permits and related
reasons why a hearing on this U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial documents are available for review
application would be appropriate. determination has been made that the upon written request or by appointment
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: activity proposed is categorically in the Permits and Conservation
Shasta McClenahan or Carrie Hubard, excluded from the requirement to Division, Office of Protected Resources,
(301) 427–8401. prepare an environmental assessment or NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The environmental impact statement. 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone
subject permit is requested under the (301) 427–8401; fax (301) 713–0376.
Concurrent with the publication of
authority of the Marine Mammal FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rosa
this notice in the Federal Register,
Protection Act of 1972, as amended González (File Nos. 19225 and 19257),
NMFS is forwarding copies of the
(MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the Carrie Hubard (File Nos. 19225 and
application to the Marine Mammal
regulations governing the taking and 19257), Amy Hapeman (File Nos. 19315
Commission and its Committee of and 19674), and Sara Young (File Nos.
importing of marine mammals (50 CFR Scientific Advisors.
part 216), the Endangered Species Act of 19315, 19674, 20599).
1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 Dated: December 13, 2016. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notices
et seq.), and the regulations governing Julia Harrison, were published in the Federal Register
the taking, importing, and exporting of Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, that requests for a permit had been
endangered and threatened species (50 Office of Protected Resources, National submitted by the above-named
CFR 222–226). Marine Fisheries Service. applicants. The requested permits have
The applicant proposes to take marine been issued under the Marine Mammal
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
[FR Doc. 2016–30415 Filed 12–16–16; 8:45 am]
mammals to: (1) Document the presence BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16
of North Atlantic right (Eubalaena U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the regulations
glacialis) and humpback (Megaptera governing the taking and importing of
novaeangliae) whales in the mid- marine mammals (50 CFR part 216), the
Atlantic, and (2) describe the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
distribution and abundance of cetaceans amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.),
within specific regions used for U.S. and the regulations governing the
VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:55 Dec 16, 2016 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\19DEN1.SGM 19DEN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/81_FR_92163/page/1.svg)
![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 243 / Monday, December 19, 2016 / Notices 91921
taking, importing, and exporting of may be incidentally harassed during consistent with the purposes and
endangered and threatened species (50 surveys. The request to suction cup tag policies set forth in section 2 of the
CFR parts 222–226), as applicable. a subset of right whales was denied. The ESA.
Permit No. 19225: The requested permit is valid for five years from the Dated: December 13, 2016.
permit (81 FR 5990, November 1, 2016) date of issuance. Julia Harrison,
authorizes Dr. Darling to use passive Permit No. 19674: The requested
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division,
acoustic monitoring, active playbacks, permit (81 FR 59192, August 29, 2016)
Office of Protected Resources, National
suction cup and dart tagging, biopsy authorizes Dr. Kraus to conduct vessel Marine Fisheries Service.
sampling, underwater photography/ and aerial surveys of North Atlantic
[FR Doc. 2016–30414 Filed 12–16–16; 8:45 am]
videography, photo ID and right whales in U.S. and international
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
photogrammetry during aerial and waters of the North Atlantic from
vessel surveys to address a variety of Florida to Iceland to assess, quantify,
questions regarding social organization, and track trends in the demographic DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
behavior, and communication of characteristics of right whales; and to
humpback whales (Megaptera identify, quantify and monitor the long National Oceanic and Atmospheric
novaeangliae). Research may occur off term trends in anthropogenic impacts Administration
Hawaii (primarily off west Maui), and on the species. Surveys may involve
Alaska. Incidental harassment is approach for observation, photo- Programmatic Environmental
authorized for the following non-target identification, and biopsy and blow Assessment
species: North Pacific right whales sampling, thermal imaging, passive
(Eubalaena japonica); false killer whales acoustic recording, collection of AGENCY: National Ocean Service (NOS),
(Pseudorca crassidens); Dall’s porpoises sloughed skin and feces, NOAA, Department of Commerce.
(Phocoenoides dalli); spinner (Stenella photogrammetry, and/or incidental ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a
longirostris), pantropical spotted (S. harassment of right whales. Right whale programmatic environmental
attenuata), and bottlenose dolphins parts may be received, imported or assessment; request for Comments.
(Turisiops truncatus); killer whales exported. Humpback whales, harbor SUMMARY: NOAA is issuing this notice
(Orcinus orca); Hawaiian monk seals porpoises (Phocoena phocoena), and to advise the public that NOS is
(Neomonachus schauinslandi); harbor Atlantic white-sided dolphins preparing a programmatic
seals (Phoca vitulina); and Steller sea (Lagenorhynchus acutus) may be environmental assessment (PEA) in
lions (Eumetopias jubatus). The permit incidentally harassed during vessel accordance with the National
is valid until October 31, 2021. surveys. The permit is valid for five Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to
Permit No. 19257: The requested years from the date of issuance. evaluate the environmental impacts of
permit (80 FR 59736, November 1, 2016) Permit No. 20599: The requested
NOS hydroacoustic surveys, mapping,
authorizes Ms. Zoidis to use passive permit (81 FR 66928, September 29,
and other related data gathering
acoustic monitoring, suction cup 2016) authorizes researchers to take
activities. NOS offices that conduct
tagging, biopsy sampling, underwater Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus
hydroacoustic surveys, mapping, and
photography/videography, and photo ID gazella), southern elephant seals
(Mirounga leonina), crabeater seals other related data-gathering activities
during vessel surveys in Hawaii and the
Mariana Islands (Guam and the (Lobodon carcinophagus), leopard seals which may be covered under this PEA
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana (Hydrurga leptonyx), Ross seals include: Center for Operational
Islands) to address a variety of questions (Ommatophoca rossii), and Weddell Oceanographic Products and Services,
regarding population size, habitat use, seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) for life National Centers for Coastal Ocean
and behavior of baleen and odontocete history studies and census surveys for Science, Office of Coast Survey, Office
species. The research would target abundance and distribution of for Coastal Management, Office of
humpback whales and 25 other species pinnipeds in the South Shetland National Marine Sanctuaries, Office of
of whales and dolphins. Species may Islands, Antarctica, as part of a long- Response and Restoration, Office of
undergo all methodologies (except right term ecosystem monitoring program National Geodetic Survey, and the U.S.
whales, which will not be tagged). established in 1986. The applicant also Integrated Ocean Observing System
Incidental harassment for all species is requests permission to import tissue Program Office. The PEA will
also authorized. Research would take samples collected from any animals encompass the environment of all
place throughout the year. The permit is captured and from salvaged carcasses of geographic areas where NOS conducts
valid until October 31, 2021. any species of pinniped or cetacean these activities, to include terrestrial
Permit No. 19315: The requested found in the study area. The permit is areas, but primarily focusing on U.S.
permit (81 FR 59192, August 29, 2016) valid for five years from the date of waters from the coastline to the limits
authorizes researchers to conduct vessel issuance. of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone,
and aerial surveys of North Atlantic In compliance with the National which extends no more than 200
right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) and Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 nautical miles from the territorial sea
bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), a final baseline.
opportunistically in Atlantic waters determination has been made that the NOAA provides this notice to advise
from Maine to New Jersey to gain a activities proposed are categorically other Federal and State agencies,
better understanding of right whale excluded from the requirement to Territories, Tribal Governments, local
population status, relationship to governments, private parties, and the
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
prepare an environmental assessment or
habitat conditions, distribution and environmental impact statement. public of our intent to prepare a PEA,
abundance, movement patterns, and As required by the ESA, as applicable, to provide information on the nature of
interactions with human activities. issuance of these permit was based on the analysis, and to invite input.
Surveys may involve approach for a finding that such permits: (1) Were DATES: Comments must be received by
observation, photo-identification, and applied for in good faith; (2) will not January 18, 2017.
prey mapping. Up to 16 other species of operate to the disadvantage of such ADDRESSES: Comments may be
cetaceans and four species of pinnipeds endangered species; and (3) are submitted by mail, email, or FAX. Mail:
VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:55 Dec 16, 2016 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\19DEN1.SGM 19DEN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/81_FR_92163/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2016-12-17 03:15:35
Document Modified: 2016-12-17 03:15:35
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice; issuance of permits. | |
| Contact | Rosa Gonz[aacute]lez (File Nos. 19225 and 19257), Carrie Hubard (File Nos. 19225 and 19257), Amy Hapeman (File Nos. 19315 and 19674), and Sara Young (File Nos. 19315, 19674, 20599). | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 91920 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XE41, 0648-XE06, 0648-XE81 and 0648-XE90 |
2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR