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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 144 (Friday, July 30, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 41020]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-16300]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XB277]

Marine Mammals; File No. 25739

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that New England Aquarium, Central 
Wharf, Boston, MA 02110 (Responsible Party: Vikki Spruill), has applied 
in due form for a permit to conduct research on North Atlantic right 
whales (Eubalaena glacialis).

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before August 30, 2021.

ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for 
review by selecting ``Records Open for Public Comment'' from the 
``Features'' box on the Applications and Permits for Protected Species 
(APPS) home page, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File 
No. 25739 from the list of available applications. These documents are 
also available upon written request via email to 
[email protected].
    Written comments on this application should be submitted via email 
to [email protected]. Please include File No. 25739 in the 
subject line of the email comment.
    Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a 
written request via email to [email protected]. The request 
should set forth the specific reasons why a hearing on this application 
would be appropriate.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shasta McClenahan, Ph.D. or Amy 
Hapeman, (301) 427-8401.

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 parts 222-226).
    The applicant proposes to conduct research on North Atlantic right 
whales in U.S. and international waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. 
The objectives of the research are to assess, quantify, and track 
trends in the demographic characteristics of North Atlantic right 
whales, as well as identifying, quantifying and monitoring the long 
term trends in anthropogenic impacts on the species. North Atlantic 
right whales may be taken during vessel and aerial surveys, including 
an unmanned aircraft system, for counts, photo-identification, 
photography, videography, photogrammetry, thermal imaging, behavioral 
observations, passive acoustic recordings, and biological sampling 
(exhaled air, feces, sloughed skin, and skin and blubber biopsies). 
Samples may be imported and exported for analysis. Fin whales 
(Balaenoptera physalus), humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), 
Atlantic white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus acutus), and harbor 
porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) may be unintentionally harassed during 
right whale research. See the application for complete numbers of 
animals requested by species, life stage, and procedure. The permit is 
requested for 5 years.
    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
    Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal 
Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of the application to the Marine 
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.

    Dated: July 26, 2021.
Julia Marie Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-16300 Filed 7-29-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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