Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 184 / Thursday, September 24, 2009 / Notices 48721 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Amy Hapeman or Kristy Beard, 

(301)713–2289. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 

4, 2008, notice was published in the 

Federal Register (73 FR 45217) that an 

amendment to Permit No. 605–1904, 

issued February 21, 2008 (73 FR 10744), 

had been requested by the above-named 

organization. The requested amendment 

has been granted 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 (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), 

and the regulations governing the 

taking, importing, and exporting of 

endangered and threatened species (50 

CFR parts 222–226). 

Permit No. 605–1904 authorizes the 

WCNE to harass humpback (Megaptera 

novaengliae), fin (Balaenoptera 

physalus), and sei (Balaenoptera 

borealis) whales along the U.S. Atlantic 

coast during close approaches for vessel 

surveys, photo-identification, tracking, 

and incidental harassment annually. 

During approaches, researchers may 

suction-cup tag and/or biopsy sample 

whales greater than six months of age. 

A subset of approached humpback and 

fin whale calves three to six months of 

age may also be biopsy sampled. This 

amendment authorizes the WCNE to 

harass up to 75 North Atlantic right 

whales (Eubalaena glacialis) annually 

during close vessel approaches for 

photo-identification, behavioral 

observation, and prey sampling. This 

work would continue long-term 

population monitoring to determine 

status and trends of this species in the 

North Atlantic. The amendment is valid 

until the permit expires on February 15, 

2013. 

In compliance with the National 

Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 

U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an environmental 

assessment was prepared analyzing the 

effects of the permitted activities. After 

a Finding of No Significant Impact, the 

determination was made that it was not 

necessary to prepare an environmental 

impact statement. 

Issuance of this permit, as required by 

the ESA, was based on a finding that 

such permit: (1) was applied for in good 

faith; (2) will not operate to the 

disadvantage of such endangered 

species; and (3) is consistent with the 

purposes and policies set forth in 

section 2 of the ESA. 

Dated: September 18, 2009. 

P. Michael Payne, 

Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education 

Division, Office of Protected Resources, 

National Marine Fisheries Service. 

[FR Doc. E9–23065 Filed 9–23–09; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3510–22–S 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration 

RIN: 0648–XR79 

New England Fishery Management 

Council; Public Meetings 

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries 

Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 

Commerce. 

ACTION: Notice of public meetings. 

SUMMARY: The New England Fishery 

Management Council(s (Council) 

Habitat Committee and Habitat 

Advisory Panel will hold meetings to 

consider actions affecting New England 

fisheries in the exclusive economic zone 

(EEZ). 

DATES: The meetings will be held in 

October, 2009. For specific dates and 

times, see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. 

ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held at 

the Holiday Inn, 31 Hampshire Street, 

Mansfield, MA 02048; telephone: (508) 

339–2200; fax: (508) 339–1040. 

Council address: New England 

Fishery Management Council, 50 Water 

Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul 

J. Howard, Executive Director, New 

England Fishery Management Council; 

telephone: (978) 465–0492. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 

advisory panel and committee meeting 

schedules and agendas are as follows: 

1. Joint Habitat Committee and Advisory 

Panel Meeting - Tuesday, October 13, 

2009 beginning at 9 a.m. 

The committee and advisory panel 

will review Swept Area Seabed impact 

(SASI) model. They will also solicit 

Committee and Advisory Panel input on 

model components and discuss terms of 

reference for upcoming Scientific and 

Statistical Committee review of SASI. 

The Committee and Advisory Panel may 

also consider other topics at their 

discretion. 

2. Habitat Committee Meeting - 

Wednesday, October 14, 2009 beginning 

at 9 a.m. 

The Committee will discuss 

alternatives to minimize the effects of 

fishing on essential fish habitat (EFH) 

and will also review a timeline for 

completion of Omnibus EFH 

Amendment 2. 

Although non-emergency issues not 

contained in this agenda may come 

before these groups for discussion, those 

issues may not be the subject of formal 

action during this meeting. Action will 

be restricted to those issues specifically 

identified in this notice and any issues 

arising after publication of this notice 

that require emergency action under 

section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens 

Fishery Conservation and Management 

Act, provided the public has been 

notified of the Council(s intent to take 

final action to address the emergency. 

Special Accommodations 

These meetings are physically 

accessible to people with disabilities. 

Requests for sign language 

interpretation or other auxiliary aids 

should be directed to Paul J. Howard 

(see ADDRESSES), at least 5 working days 

prior to the meeting date. 

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. 

Dated: September 21, 2009. 

William D. Chappell, 

Acting Director, Office of Sustainable 

Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. 

[FR Doc. E9–23019 Filed 9–23–09; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3510–22–S 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration 

RIN: 0648–XR80 

Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management 

Council; Public Meetings 

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries 

Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 

Commerce. 

ACTION: Notice of a public meeting. 

SUMMARY: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery 

Management Council (Council) will 

convene its Law Enforcement Advisory 

Panel (LEAP). 

DATES: The meeting will convene at 1:30 

p.m. on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 and 

conclude no later than 5 p.m. 

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at 

the IP Casino Resort, 850 Bayview Ave., 

Biloxi, MS 39530. 

Council address: Gulf of Mexico 

Fishery Management Council, 2203 

North Lois Avenue, Suite 1100, Tampa, 

FL 33607. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. 

Richard Leard, Deputy Executive 

Director, Gulf of Mexico Fishery 


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