[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 90 (Monday, May 11, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 25834]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-12416]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 050598B]
Marine Mammals
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Receipt of application.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Mr. Fred Sharpe, Behavioral
Ecology Research Group, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British
Columbia, V5A 1S6, Canada, has applied in due form for a permit to take
North Pacific humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) and killer
whales (Orcinus orca) for purposes of scientific research.
DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before June
10, 1998.
ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for
review upon written request or by appointment in the following
office(s):
Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected Resources,
NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301/
713-2289); and Regional Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box
21668, Juneau, AK 99801 (907/586-7221).
Written comments or requests for a public hearing on this request
should be submitted to the Chief, Permits and Documentation Division,
F/PR1, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway,
Room 13130, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Those individuals requesting a
hearing should set forth the specific reasons why a hearing on this
particular amendment request would be appropriate.
Comments may also be submitted by facsimile at (301) 713-0376,
provided the facsimile is confirmed by hard copy submitted by mail and
postmarked no later than the closing date of the comment period. Please
note that comments will not be accepted by e-mail or other electronic
media.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Jeannie Drevenak, 301/713-2289.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is requested under the
authority of 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 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), the regulations
governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered fish and
wildlife (50 CFR 222.23).
The purpose of the proposed research is to: examine the behavior,
social structure and foraging ecology of North Pacific humpback whales
through passive observation (photo-identification, hydrophone
recordings, video recording), side-scan sonar, playbacks of humpback
whale sounds, and suction cup tagging with ``critter cam'' dive tags;
and obtain opportunistic photo-identification images and recordings of
killer whales. Up to 390 humpback whales may be harassed annually
during these activities (only 18 of this number may be suction cup
tagged annually). Up to 300 killer whales may be harassed annually
during photo-identification studies. Research activities will be
conducted over a five-year period in southeast Alaska waters.
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: May 6, 1998.
Ann D. Terbush,
Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-12416 Filed 5-8-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
