[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]

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