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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN ID: RIN 0648-XJ48
NOTICE: NOTICES
ACTION: Receipt of Application for Amendment:
DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for amendment.
SUBJECT CATEGORY: Marine Mammals; File No. 605-1904
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or before September 3, 2008.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Whale Center of New England (WCNE) (Mason Weinrich, Principal Investigator), P.O. Box 159, Gloucester, MA 01930, has requested an amendment to scientific research Permit No. 6051904.
SUMMARY: Marine Mammals,
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
The subject amendment to Permit No. 605- 1904, issued on February 21, 2008 (73 FR 10744) is requested 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 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and the regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR 222226). Permit No. 6051904 authorizes the permit holder 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, photoidentification, tracking,
and incidental harassment annually. During approaches, researchers may
suctioncup tag and/or biopsy sample whales greater than six months of age. A subset of approached humpback and fin whale
[[Page 45218]]
calves three to six months of age may also be biopsy sampled. The
original application submitted by the WCNE included a request to
conduct research on North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis).
At the time of permit issuance, takes for right whales were not
authorized. NMFS is now reviewing the right whale portion of the
request as an amendment to Permit No. 6051904. The WCNE requests
authorization to harass up to 75 North Atlantic right whales annually
during close vessel approaches for photoidentification, behavioral
observation, and prey sampling. This work would continue longterm
population monitoring to determine status and trends of this species in
the North Atlantic. The amendment would be valid until the permit expires on February 15, 2013.
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: July 29, 2008.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E817813 Filed 8108; 8:45 am]
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Amy Hapeman or Kristy Beard, (301)7132289.
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14 CFR Part 39 40 CFR Part 52 14 CFR Part 71 33 CFR Part 165 50 CFR Part 679 26 CFR Part 1 40 CFR Part 180 47 CFR Part 73 50 CFR Part 17 33 CFR Part 117 44 CFR Part 67 50 CFR Part 648 14 CFR Part 97 33 CFR Part 100 40 CFR Part 63 26 CFR Part 301 50 CFR Part 622 39 CFR Part 111 40 CFR Part 300 44 CFR Part 65 50 CFR Part 660 40 CFR Part 271 40 CFR Parts 52 and 81 47 CFR Part 64 50 CFR Part 665 49 CFR Part 571 44 CFR Part 64 21 CFR Part 522 14 CFR Part 23 47 CFR Part 76