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 222-226).

The applicant proposes to address a variety of questions regarding social organization, behavior, and communication of humpback whales using passive acoustic monitoring, active playbacks, suction cup and dart tagging, biopsy sampling, underwater photography/videography, photo ID and photogrammetry during aerial and vessel surveys. Research would occur off Hawaii (primarily off west Maui), and Alaska. Incidental harassment is requested 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 requested 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.