[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 44 (Monday, March 7, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-5111]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: March 7, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
[I.D. 022494B]
Marine Mammals
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), NOAA, Commerce.
ACTION: Issuance of emergency permit No. 890 (P46B).
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that The New England Aquarium, Central
Wharf, Boston, MA 02110-3399 has been issued a permit to take up to 2
right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) for purposes of enhancing the
survival or recovery of the species.
ADDRESSES: The permit and related documents are available for review
upon written request or by appointment, in the following office(s):
Permits Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West
Highway, room 13130, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301/713-2289);
Director, Northeast Region, NMFS, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA
01930 (508/281-9200); and
Director, Southeast Region, NMFS, 9450 Koger Boulevard, St. Petersburg,
FL 33702 (813/893-3141).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 25, 1994, the NMFS issued an
emergency permit pursuant to sections 10(a)(1)(A) and 10(c) of the
Endangered Species Act to authorize the permit holder to attach a radio
tag by suction cup to one sick or injured right whale calf (Eubalaena
glacialis) or its mother, in order to monitor their movements and
progress. In accordance with 50 CFR 222.24(e), the Director, Office of
Protected Resources, waived the standard 30-day comment period due to
the emergency nature of the request. The Marine Mammal Commission
reviewed the permit application and recommended that the emergency
permit be issued.
On Tuesday, February 22, 1994, the New England Aquarium aerial
survey team observed a right whale mother and calf 10 miles off the
coast near Jacksonville, Florida. The aerial team reported that the
calf's tail flukes were curled and limp, and completely white, probably
from the loss of all skin and due to loss of circulation. There were no
obvious causes, but the tail stock area was difficult to assess from
the airplane. On Wednesday, February 23, 1994, the New England Aquarium
requested a permit to attach a radio tag by suction cup to the calf or
its mother, in order to monitor their movements and progress. Because
the right whale population is currently at such critically low levels
that the survival of every individual could be important to the
survival of the population as a whole, and due to the time-critical
nature of the request, the National Marine Fisheries Service issued an
emergency permit pursuant to sections 10(a)(1)(A) and 10(c) of the
Endangered Species Act to authorize the requested activities.
Issuance of this permit as required by the Endangered Species Act
of 1973 was based on a finding that such permit: (1) Was applied for in
good faith; (2) will not operate to the disadvantage of the endangered
species which is the subject of this permit; and (3) is consistent with
the purposes and policies set forth in Section 2 of the Endangered
Species Act.
Dated: February 25, 1994.
William W. Fox, Jr., Ph.D.,
Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries
Services.
[FR Doc. 94-5111 Filed 3-4-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
