[Federal Register: December 13, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 240)]
[Notices]               
[Page 76727-76728]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13de02-36]                         


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE


National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


[I.D. 111802C]


 
Marine Mammals; File No. 995-1608


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


ACTION: Issuance of permit amendment.


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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Mr. Thomas F. Norris, Science 
Applications International Corp., 3990 Old Town Avenue, Suite 105A, San 
Diego, California 92110 has been issued an amendment to scientific 
research Permit No. 995-1608.


ADDRESSES: The amendment and related documents are available for review 
upon written request or by appointment in the following office(s):
    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;
    Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, BIN C15700, Bldg. 
1, Seattle, WA 98115-0700; phone (206)526-6150; fax (206)526-6426;
    Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long 
Beach, CA 90802-4213; phone (562)980-4001; fax (562)980-4018; and
    Protected Species Coordinator, Pacific Area Office, NMFS, 1601 
Kapiolani Blvd., Rm, 1110, Honolulu, HI 96814-4700; phone (808)973-
2935; fax (808)973-2941.FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Tammy 
Adams or Ruth Johnson, (301)713-2289.


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 21, 2000, notice was published 
in the Federal Register (65 FR 80420) that a request for a scientific 
research permit to take gray (Eschrichtius robustus), minke 
(Balaenoptera acutorostrata), Bryde's (Balaenoptera edeni), blue 
(Balaenoptera musculus), fin (Balaenoptera physalus), and humpback 
(Megaptera novaengliae) whales had been submitted by the above-named 
individual. Permit No. 995-1608 was issued on May 4, 2001 (66 FR 23884, 
May 10, 2001) for takes of gray, minke, and Bryde's whales by 
attachment of scientific instruments, photo-identification, behavioral 
observation, and incidental harasment. Authorization to take endangered 
blue, fin and humpback whales was deferred pending receipt of 
additional information and consultation required under Section 7 of the 
Endangered Species Act. The amendment to include takes of these 
endangered species has been granted 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 (ESA; 16 
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and the regulations governing the taking, 
importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR 
222-226).
    The amended permit authorizes takes of up to 11 each of blue, fin, 
and humpback whales per year by attachment of scientific instruments, 
photo-identification, and behavioral observation and up to 20 whales of 
each species by harassment incidental to these activities.
    Issuance of this amendment, as required by the ESA was based on a 
finding that such permit (1) was applied for in good faith, (2) will 
not operate to the disadvantage of the endangered species which is the 
subject of this


[[Page 76728]]


permit, and (3) is consistent with the purposes and policies set forth 
in section 2 of the ESA.


    December 4, 2002.
Eugene T. Nitta,
Acting Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 02-31445 Filed 12-12-02; 8:45 am]

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