[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 207 (Wednesday, October 27, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66073-66074]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-27176]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA02


Marine Mammals; Issuance of Permits

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

ACTION: Notice; issuance of permits.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that individuals and institutions have 
been issued Letters of Confirmation for activities conducted under the 
General Authorization for Scientific Research on marine mammals. See 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for a list of names and addresses of 
recipients.

ADDRESSES: The Letters of Confirmation and related documents are 
available for review upon written request or by appointment in the 
following office:
    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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Office of Protected Resources, Permits 
Division, (301) 713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The requested Letters of Confirmation (LOC) 
have been issued 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 General Authorization allows for bona fide scientific research that 
may result only in taking by level B harassment of marine mammals. The 
following Letters of Confirmation were issued in Fiscal Year 2010.
    File No. 14579: Issued to Dr. Susan Shaw, Marine Environmental 
Research Institute, Blue Hill, ME on October 28, 2009, for aerial and 
vessel surveys to census harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) and gray seals 
(Halichoerus grypus) in and around pinniped haulouts in the Blue Hill 
Bay area of the Gulf of Maine. Harp seals (Pagophilus groenlandica) and 
hooded seals (Cystophora cristata) may be harassed incidental to these 
surveys. The authorization is valid through October 31, 2014.
    File No. 14903: Issued to Lisa Sette, Provincetown Center for 
Coastal Studies, Provincetown, MA, on March 3, 2010, authorizes vessel 
and land based surveys, photo-identification and behavioral 
observations of gray seals and harbor seals along the coast of Cape 
Cod, MA. The purpose of the research is to provide information on the 
haul-out structure and possible distribution shifts around New England. 
The research will provide a foundation for long-term studies of 
pinniped populations in the study area as well as aid in the 
development of a photo-ID catalogue. The LOC expires on March 1, 2015.
    File No. 15141: Issued to Petra Bertilsson-Friedman, Montauk, NY, 
on March 3, 2010, authorizes behavioral observations and photo-
identification of harbor seals, gray seals, and harp seals hauled out 
in Montauk, NY. The objective of the research is to examine the 
abundance and structure of two different seal haul out sites [Montauk 
Point State Park (rocky coast) and Shagwong Point (sandy beach)] to 
determine how habitat features and anthropogenic disturbance influences 
haul out choice. The researcher will also provide photo-ID data to Ms. 
Sette (File No. 14903) to include in the photo-ID catalogue. The LOC 
expires on March 1, 2015.
    File No. 15369: Issued to Mari Smultea, Issaquah, WA, on April 23, 
2010, authorizes aerial surveys, photo-identification, video, and 
behavioral observations of 21 cetacean species and three pinniped 
species in the U.S. Navy's Southern California Range Complex (SOCAL) in 
the Pacific Ocean. The purpose of the research is to collect baseline 
data on the abundance and distribution of cetaceans and pinnipeds 
within the SOCAL. The surveys are supported by the Navy as part of 
their Marine Species Monitoring Plan. The LOC expires on December 15, 
2014.
    File No. 13729-01: Issued to The Wild Dolphin Project, Jupiter, FL, 
on June 8, 2010, authorizes close approach, photo-identification, and 
behavioral observations of cetaceans within the Intracoastal Waterway 
from southern Martin County to the Florida Keys, and in the adjacent 
Atlantic Ocean from the coast to 20 miles into the Gulf Stream. This 
amendment expands the study to include Atlantic spotted dolphins 
(Stenella frontalis) inhabiting Atlantic waters along the Florida Keys 
and authorizes surveys year-round. The purpose of the research is to 
study the abundance, distribution, and residency of cetaceans in the 
Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) as well as offshore of Palm Beach County, 
Florida, down to the Florida Keys. The LOC expires on February 28, 
2014, and supersedes LOC No. 13729, issued on February 13, 2009.
    File No. 15409: Issued to Dr. David Johnston, Duke University, 
Beaufort, NC, on June 8, 2010, authorizes vessel surveys, photo-
identification and behavioral observations of seven dolphin species and 
nine whale species in the nearshore waters of the Hawaiian Islands and 
American Samoa. The purpose of the research is to collect baseline data 
on the stock structure and population dynamics of cetaceans within the 
Pacific Islands Region. The LOC expires on June 15, 2015.
    File No. 15459: Issued to Jennifer Lewis, Florida International 
University, Miami, FL, on June 18, 2010, authorizes photo-
identification and behavioral surveys of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops 
truncatus) within the borders of the Lower Florida Keys, Florida Keys 
National Marine Sanctuary, and Everglades National Park. The purpose of 
the research is to study factors influencing habitat use, ranging 
patterns, behavioral variation, and population structure of bottlenose 
dolphins in southern Florida waters. The LOC expires on July 1, 2015.
    File No. 14646: Issued to Dr. Laela Sayigh, Woods Hole 
Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA on June 29, 2010, for close 
approach, photo-identification, passive acoustic recordings, behavioral 
observations, and focal follows of seven marine mammal species, 
including long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas), Atlantic 
white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus acutus), and common dolphins 
(Delphinus delphis). The primary study area is Cape Cod Bay, but 
research efforts may also occur in the Gulf of Maine (including 
Massachusetts Bay) and the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. 
The purpose of the research is to investigate the phenomenon of mass 
strandings and try to improve the ability to predict such events. The 
LOC expires on July 1, 2015.
    File No. 15512: Issued to Dr. Shannon Gowans, Eckerd College, St. 
Petersburg, FL on July 9, 2010, authorizes vessel surveys for close 
approach, photo-identification, passive acoustic recordings, and 
behavioral observations of bottlenose dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico 
from Clearwater to Tampa Bay, Florida. The purpose of the research is 
to monitor this population of bottlenose dolphins, estimate abundance, 
investigate trends in population size, spatial distribution, and 
changes in distribution over time. The LOC expires on July 15, 2015.
    File No. 15477: Issued to Isidore Szczepaniak, Pacifica, CA on July 
16, 2010, authorizes vessel surveys for close approach, photo-
identification, and behavioral observations of the San Francisco-
Russian River Stock of harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) and 
bottlenose dolphins in the waters of San Francisco Bay and adjacent 
Pacific

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Ocean coastal waters in Northern California, between Bodega Bay in the 
north and Half Moon Bay in the south. The purpose of the research is to 
document the harbor porpoise's range reestablishment and the likely 
causes of its reappearance in San Francisco Bay, and to document 
interactions between harbor porpoise and bottlenose dolphins. The LOC 
expires on July 31, 2015.
    File No. 919-1797: Issued to Dr. Donald Baltz, Louisiana State 
University, Baton Rouge, LA on July 7, 2005 was extended on July 27, 
2010. The purpose of the research is to estimate abundance and conduct 
behavioral observations and photo-identification of bottlenose dolphins 
in the bays and coastal waters of Louisiana and Mississippi. The LOC 
was extended from July 31, 2010 until July 31, 2011.
    File No. 15631: Issued to Marilyn Mazzoil, Harbor Branch 
Oceanographic Institute, Fort Pierce, FL on August 24, 2010, authorizes 
photo-identification and behavioral surveys of bottlenose dolphins in 
the Indian River Lagoon Estuary, Florida and adjacent Atlantic Ocean 
coastal waters from Ponce Inlet to Jupiter Inlet out to 3 km offshore. 
The purpose of the research is to investigate the abundance, 
distribution, and stock structure of Western North Atlantic coastal and 
offshore bottlenose dolphins. The LOC expires on August 31, 2015.
    File No. 808-1798-02: Issued to Dr. Andrew Read, Duke University 
Marine Laboratory, Beaufort, NC on September 27, 2010, authorizes 
vessel and aerial surveys, close approach, photo-identification, 
observation of dolphin/fishery interactions, focal animal sampling, and 
passive acoustics of 19 cetacean species. Research activities may occur 
year-round from the North Carolina/Virginia border, south to 29[deg] N 
(Florida), in coastal waters and out to 100 nm offshore. The purpose of 
the amendment is to extend the duration of the study from September 30, 
2010 to March 30, 2011. This amended GA LOC supersedes version 808-
1798-01, issued on May 1, 2009.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), a final determination has been made that the 
activities are categorically excluded from the requirement to prepare 
an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.

    Dated: October 21, 2010.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-27176 Filed 10-26-10; 8:45 am]
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