Marine Mammals

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 050598B]

Marine Mammals

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Receipt of application.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Mr. Fred Sharpe, Behavioral

Ecology Research Group, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British

Columbia, V5A 1S6, Canada, has applied in due form for a permit to take

North Pacific humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) and killer

whales (Orcinus orca) for purposes of scientific research.

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before June

10, 1998.

ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for

review upon written request or by appointment in the following

office(s):

Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected Resources,

NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301/

713-2289); and Regional Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box

21668, Juneau, AK 99801 (907/586-7221).

Written comments or requests for a public hearing on this request

should be submitted to the Chief, Permits and Documentation Division,

F/PR1, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway,

Room 13130, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Those individuals requesting a

hearing should set forth the specific reasons why a hearing on this

particular amendment request would be appropriate.

Comments may also be submitted by facsimile at (301) 713-0376,

provided the facsimile is confirmed by hard copy submitted by mail and

postmarked no later than the closing date of the comment period. Please

note that comments will not be accepted by e-mail or other electronic

media.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Jeannie Drevenak, 301/713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit 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.), the regulations

governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered fish and

wildlife (50 CFR 222.23).

The purpose of the proposed research is to: examine the behavior,

social structure and foraging ecology of North Pacific humpback whales

through passive observation (photo-identification, hydrophone

recordings, video recording), side-scan sonar, playbacks of humpback

whale sounds, and suction cup tagging with ``critter cam'' dive tags;

and obtain opportunistic photo-identification images and recordings of

killer whales. Up to 390 humpback whales may be harassed annually

during these activities (only 18 of this number may be suction cup

tagged annually). Up to 300 killer whales may be harassed annually

during photo-identification studies. Research activities will be

conducted over a five-year period in southeast Alaska waters.

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: May 6, 1998.

Ann D. Terbush,

Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected

Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.

[FR Doc. 98-12416 Filed 5-8-98; 8:45 am]

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