Notice is hereby given that the Center for Coastal Studies, 5 Holway Avenue, Provincetown, MA 02657, (Responsible Party: Anne-Marie Runfola), has applied in due form for a permi...
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION:
Notice; receipt of application.
SUMMARY:
Notice is hereby given that the Center for Coastal Studies, 5 Holway Avenue, Provincetown, MA 02657, (Responsible Party: Anne-Marie Runfola), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on marine mammals.
DATES:
Written comments must be received on or before September 8, 2026.
ADDRESSES:
The application and related documents are available for review 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. 29707 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:
Shasta McClenahan, Ph.D., or Courtney Smith, 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. 1361et 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. 1531et seq.), and the regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226).
The applicant requests a 10-year permit to conduct research on 23 species of marine mammals in U.S. and international waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. ESA-listed species include: bowhead (
Balaena mysticetus), blue (
Balaenoptera musculus), fin (
Balaenoptera physalus), North Atlantic right (
Eubalaena glacialis), sei (
Balaenoptera borealis), and sperm (
Physeter macrocephalus) whales. The objectives are to study marine mammal occurrence, distribution, abundance, behavior, habitat use, foraging ecology, and health, with a focus on North Atlantic right whales. Cetaceans may be taken during vessel and aerial surveys, including uncrewed aircraft systems, for counts, photography, videography, photogrammetry, thermal imaging, observations, biological sampling (feces, sloughed skin, and skin and blubber biopsies), and suction-cup tagging. Four species of pinnipeds may be unintentionally harassed and opportunistically studied during research. See the application for complete numbers of animals requested by species, life stage, and procedure.
In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321et 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 3, 2026.
Larissa Plants,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
16 U.S.C. 1361
50 CFR part 216