[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 78 (Thursday, April 23, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 20171]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-10867]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 041698F]
Marine Mammals; Permit No. 1031 (P623)
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Receipt of application for amendment.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Ms. D. Ann Pabst, Biological
Sciences and Center for Marine Science Research, The University of
North Carolina at Wilmington, 601 South College Road, Wilmington, North
Carolina 28403-3297, has requested an amendment to Permit No. 1031.
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before May 26, 1998.
ADDRESSES: The amendment request 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 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301/713-2289);
Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, National Marine Fisheries
Service, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-2298 (508/281-9250);
Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, National Marine
Fisheries Service, 9721 Executive Center Drive, North, St.
Petersburg, FL 33702-2432 (813/570-5301).
Written data or views, or requests for a public hearing on this
request should be submitted to the Chief, Permits Division, F/PR1,
Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service,
Silver Spring, MD 20910. Those individuals requesting a hearing should
set forth the specific reasons why a hearing on this particular request
would be appropriate.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeannie Drevenak, 301/713-2289.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment is requested under the
authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16
U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), and the Regulations Governing the Taking and
Importing of Marine Mammals (50 CFR part 216).
The Permit Holder is currently authorized to conduct photo-
identification studies, acoustic recording, and aerial and vessel
surveys, on up to 1,200 humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae)
annually over a five year period. In addition, the following non-target
species may be harassed during the course of the research: North
Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis), fin whales (Balaenoptera
physalus), Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), harbor
porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), beaked whales (Mesplodon sp.), and
pelagic dolphins (Stenella sp.). The primary goal of the research is to
identify potential anthropogenic causes of mortality of humpback whales
(Megaptera novaeangliae)in the mid-Atlantic Ocean.
The Holder is now requesting that the Permit be amended to: (1)
expand the geographic coverage of the research to include offshore
waters to the continental shelf from Cape Fear, North Carolina north to
the mouth of Delaware Bay; (2) increase the number of takes of animals
currently authorized to be harassed under the permit; and to add sperm
whales (Physeter macrocephalus) and common dolphins (Delphinus delphis)
to the species authorized to be harassed. The purpose of the amendment
is to conduct increased numbers of offshore aerial and vessel surveys
to more thoroughly identify the temporal and spatial distribution of
humpback whales and other cetacean species.
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 this application to the Marine
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.
Dated: April 20, 1998.
Ann D. Terbush,
Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-10867 Filed 4-22-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
