02-13855. Marine Mammals; File No. 1029-1675  

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    AGENCY:

    National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

    ACTION:

    Receipt of application.

    SUMMARY:

    Notice is hereby given that Andrew R. Szabo,Whale Research Lab, Department of Geography, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 2Y2, Canada, has applied in due form for a permit to take humpback whales (Megaptera Novaeangliea) for purposes of scientific research.

    DATES:

    Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before July 3, 2002.

    ADDRESSES:

    The application and related documents are available for review upon written request or by appointment in the following office(s):

    Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone (301) 713-2289; fax (301) 713-0376; and

    Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668; phone (907) 586-7221; fax (907) 586-7249.

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    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

    Lynne Barre or Jill Lewandowski, (301) 713-2289.

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    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 objective of the study is to examine the behavior of humpback whale mother/calf pairs on their summer feeding grounds and compare the maternal behavior of solitary and social foragers. The study will also attempt to identify differences in the early behavior of the mother/calf pairs that may lead to the adoption of a particular foraging strategy in juveniles. A total of 250 humpbacks from all age classes will be approached annually for photo-identification, hydrophone recordings and video taping of behavior. Research activities will be conducted in southeastern Alaska through October 15, 2006.

    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.

    Written comments or requests for a public hearing on this application should be mailed to the Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, F/PR1, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, 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.

    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 by other electronic media.

    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.

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    Dated: May 23, 2002.

    Trevor R. Spradlin,

    Acting Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.

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    [FR Doc. 02-13855 Filed 5-31-02; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 3510-22-S

Document Information

Published:
06/03/2002
Department:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Receipt of application.
Document Number:
02-13855
Dates:
Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before July 3, 2002.
Pages:
38262-38262 (1 pages)
Docket Numbers:
I.D. 052102C
PDF File:
02-13855.pdf