Download or read book Environmental Assessment for Issuance of Four Scientific Research Permits for Cetacean Studies written by and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page 64 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to issue four five-year scientific research permits for takes of marine mammals in the wild, pursuant to 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.), the regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR 222-226), and the Fur Seal Act of1966 (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.). Permit Nos. 16163, 16160, 16111, and 15569 would authorize takes of marine mammals during varying combinations of research activities including aerial surveys, vessel surveys for behavioral observations, photo-identification, underwater photography and videography, collection of sloughed skin and feces, sampling whale blows, passive acoustic recordings, suction cup and implantable dart tagging, biopsy sample collection, and acoustic playbacks. The permits would also authorize export and re-import of parts. Specific objectives of each pernlit applicant vary but ultimately involve the continuation of long-term research on Southern Resident killer whales and other cetacean species"--Abstract.

Download or read book Environmental Assessment for Issuance of a Scientific Research Permit for Cetacean Studies written by and published by . This book was released on 2011 with total page 72 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "NMFS proposes to issue scientific research Permit No. 15330 to authorize research during vessel and aerial surveys of 40 species of cetacean and seven species of pinnipeds. Research activities would include photoidentification, acoustic recording, biological sample collection, and dart and suction cup tagging. The purpose of research is to determine the abundance, distribution, stock structure of cetaceans, movement patterns, habitat use, and diving behavior of cetaceans in U.S. territorial and international waters. Individual animals could experience short-lived harassment or injury in a minor number of cases. However, impacts from the research would be minimal to populations and species"--Cover letter.

Download or read book Environmental Assessment for Issuance of a Scientific Research Permit file No 14097 for Pinniped Cetacean and Sea Turtle Studies written by and published by . This book was released on 2010 with total page 125 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to issue a scientific research permit for takes of marine mammals in the wild, pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) and the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The permit would be valid for five years from the date of issuance and would authorize research on five species of pinniped, fifty-seven species of cetacean, and five species of sea turtles. The purposes of Project I (Pinnipeds) are to conduct population assessments to determine abundance, distribution patterns, length frequencies, and breeding densities. Scats and spewings would be collected to determine the diet of California sea lions. The purpose of Project II (Cetaceans) is to determine the abundance, distribution, movement patterns, and stock structure of cetaceans in U.S. territorial and international waters. Projects I and II would be conducted through vessel surveys, aerial surveys, photogrammetry, photo-identification, biological sampling, radio tagging, and satellite tagging. The purpose of Project III (Sea Turtles) is to determine the abundance, distribution, movement patterns, stock structure, and diet of sea turtles in U.S. territorial and international waters. Sea turtles would be opportunistically captured during Project II for collection of blood samples, stomach contents, and tissue samples and to attach satellite tags. Cetacean, pinniped, and sea turtle parts, specimens, and biological samples would also be salvaged and imported/exported"--Page [1].

Download or read book Environmental Assessment for Issuance of a Scientific Research Permit for Cetacean Studies in the Pacific Arctic and Atlantic Oceans written by and published by . This book was released on 2011 with total page 142 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "NMFS proposes to issue scientific research Permit No. 14245 to authorize research during vessel and aerial surveys of 33 species of cetacean and eight species of pinnipeds. Research activities would include photoidentification, observation, biological sampling, tagging, captures, and a suite of procedures performed during capture. A small number of accidental mortalities would be authorized for capture work. The purpose of the research is to evaluate trends, abundance and distribution of marine mammals over long periods of time for scientific and management purposes. Individual animals could experience short-lived harassment, injury or death, in a minor number of cases. However, impacts from the research would be minimal to populations and species"--Cover letter.

Download or read book Environmental Assessment for Issuance of Scientific Research Permit No 14118 for Cetacean Research in the Atlantic and Pacifc Oceans written by and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page 50 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to issue a scientific research permit for takes of marine mammals in the wild, pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) and the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The permit would be valid for five years from the date of issuance and would authorize harassment of ESA-listed humpback, fin, and sei whales, and nonlisted Eastern gray, minke, and short-and long-finned pilot whales. Multiple research objectives would be addressed using data from scientific instruments (tags) attached to whales, including: (1) long-term movement and habitat use studies using satcllite/GPS/depth tags, (2) medium-term acoustic studies using an audio recording package to examine transmitted and received sound, and (3) extended fine-scale behavioral ecology studies using multi-sensor data recording packages. Research activities that may result in taking include tagging, photo-identification, behavioral observations, tracking and monitoring, passive acoustics, photography and video both above and under water, and collection of sloughed skin"--Abstract.

Download or read book Supplemental Environmental Assessment for Issuance of Amendments to Scientific Research Permit No 14097 03 to Add Specific Cetacean Research Activities Updated FONSI written by and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 25 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "NMFS proposes to issue an amendment to Permit No. 14097-04 to authorize a 12-month extension of the permit duration and allow researchers to biopsy sample humpback whales in the Southern Ocean more than once annually where sampling is already authorized. The purpose of the research is to determine the migration routes and movement patterns, habitat use, diving behavior, vocal patterns, and acoustic environment of cetaceans worldwide. Impacts from these activities would be short-term and minimal to individual animals and negligible to the species. The amended permit would be valid through June 30, 2016"--Cover letter summary.

Download or read book Environmental Assessment for the Issuance of a Scientific Research Permit for Cetacean Surveys in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans written by and published by . This book was released on 2010 with total page 86 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to issue a scientific research permit for takes of marine mammals in the wild, pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) and the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The permit would be valid for five years from the date of issuance and would authorize harassment of several cetacean species for observations, photo-identification, videography, passive acoustic recordings, and biopsy sampling during vessel surveys and the import and/or export of parts. The action area for the proposed study includes regions of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The objectives of the proposed research are to determine contaminant levels and culture cells from cetacean species while collecting data on abundance, movement and distribution patterns, habitat use, energetics, behaviors, and stock and social structures. Under NOAA Administrative Order 216-6, NMFS' issuance of scientific research permits pursuant to MMPA Section 104 is, in general categorically excluded from requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) to prepare an environmental assessment (EA) or environmental impact statement (EIS). However, an EA has been prepared to facilitate a more thorough assessment of potential impacts on endangered and threatened species"--Page [1].

Download or read book Environmental Assessment on Effects of Issuing Marine Mammal Scientific Research Permit No 14534 02 written by and published by . This book was released on 2011 with total page 28 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to issue Scientific Research Permit No. 14534-02, pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), and the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The permit would amend and replace Permit No. 14534-01 and authorize takes by harassment of a variety of marine mammal stocks and species, including endangered sperm whales, humpback whales, sei whales, fin whales, and blue whales"--Abstract from Environmental Assessment; Portfolio comprised of three related PDF documents digitized and organized by: NOAA Office of Program Planning and Integration (PPI) National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) staff.

Download or read book Environmental Assessment on Effects of Issuing Marine Mammal Scientific Research Permit written by and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page 25 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to issue Scientific Research Permit No. 15844, for takes of marine mammals in the wild, pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), and the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The permit would be valid for five years. The purposes of the research are to continue studies of long-term humpback whale populations to document trends in the abundance, spatial and temporal distribution, reproductive parameters, feeding behaviors, and the ecology, behavior, and population status of all demographic groups of these animals. The applicant requests takes of humpback whales, killer whales, and minke whales in the action area by conducting passive acoustics, videography, photo-identification surveys, biopsy sampling, and collecting sloughed skin and/or feces"--Abstract from Environmental Assessment; Portfolio comprised of three related PDF documents digitized and organized by: NOAA Office of Program Planning and Integration (PPI) National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) staff.

Download or read book Supplemental Environmental Assessment on Effects of Issuing Marine Mammal Scientific Research Permit No 14610 03 written by Courtney Smith and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 25 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to issue an amendment to Scientific Research Permit No. 14610-02, pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), and the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The current permit authorizes takes of beluga, gray, humpback and bowhead whales by harassment for studies of foraging ecology, habitat requirements. The amended permit would authorize additional gray whales takes by photo-identification research activities as well as allow implantable tag modifications to accommodate acoustic tagging of bowhead whales. The amended permit would be valid through the expiration date of the original permit (May 31, 2015).

Download or read book Environmental Assessment EA on the Issuance of a Scientific Research Permit permit No 16549 to the S O Conte Anadromous Fish Research Center CAFRC to Conduct Research Activities on Endangered Wild and Captive Shortnose Sturgeon written by and published by . This book was released on 2013 with total page 54 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The S.O. Conte Anadromous Fish Research Center; USGS, Box 796 (One Migratory Way, Turners Falls, Massachusetts 01376), is requesting authorization for a scientific research permit for takes of shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) in the wild and captivity pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. §§ 1531 et seq.). The applicant proposes to determine up and downstream migrations, habitat use, spawning periodicity, and seasonal movements of shortnose sturgeon in the Connecticut River (from Agawam, MA to Montague, MA). The applicant also proposes short-term captive animal research of wild origin shortnose sturgeon in laboratory tests of up- and downstream fish passage studies, swimming performance tests, tagging studies, anesthesiology, behavior, physiology, and contaminant studies. Furthermore, the applicant requests authorization for collecting fertilized embryo from the Merrimack River (MA), Kennebec River, and Androscoggin River (ME), to produce non-releasable progeny for larval research in the laboratory. The permit would be valid for five years upon issuance.

Download or read book Environmental Assessment written by Brandi T. Noble and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page 24 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "NMFS is responsible for the management of Federal fishery resources. Scientific research is an important means of gathering valuable information about fish species and is necessary for making informed management decisions on these fish stocks. NMFS conducts Resource Assessment surveys to aid in the development of an index of relative abundance for fishery stock assessments in the South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. Gear research is also conducted with the primary focus of research being the development of sea turtle and finfish bycatch mitigation measures for commercial trawl fisheries. The proposed research activities are expected to ultimately contribute to management decisions about fisheries that would potentially have positive social or economic impacts and aide in the recovery and conservation of protected species. The more data available regarding the health of these fish stocks and protected resources, the better NMFS is able maintain a productive and sustainable fishery balanced with ecosystem needs"--Purpose and need [first page of unnumbered EA].

Download or read book Environmental Assessment on the Effects of Scientific Research Activities Associated with Behavioral Response Studies of Pacific Marine Mammals Using Controlled Sound Exposure written by and published by . This book was released on 2010 with total page 136 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of Protected Resources (OPR), proposes to issue a scientific research permit for takes of marine mammals in the wild, pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.). The primary objective of the proposed research is to support conservation management by providing empirical measurements of behavior in marine mammals and behavioral changes as a function of sound exposure. The permit applicant would observe behavioral responses in several marine mammal species exposed to controlled underwater sound exposures and quantify exposure conditions associated with various effects. This information would be used to determine the acoustic exposures of mid-frequency (MF) sonar sounds that elicit an identifiable behavioral indicator response in targeted marine mammals, so that sound producers and regulatory agencies can better understand, minimize, and manage noise impacts on protected species. Additionally, the applicant proposes to conduct photo-identification of marine mammals and collect skin samples for genetic analysis. The action area for the proposed study includes the U.S. Navy's existing Southern California (SOCAL) Range Complex, other US locations including offshore waters, and international waters throughout the Pacific basin. Scientific research permits are generally categorically excluded from the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) requirements to prepare an environmental assessment (EA) or environmental impact statement (EIS) (NAO 216-6). However, NMFS chose to prepare an EA as a more detailed analysis of potential environmental impacts"--Abstract (p. i).

Download or read book Federal Register written by and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 364 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Environmental Assessment EA on the Effects of the Issuance of a Scientific Research Permit file No 16439 to Conduct Scientific Research on Shortnose Sturgeon in the Hudson River written by and published by . This book was released on 2011 with total page 59 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "The current Environmental Assessment (EA) analyzed the effects of shortnose sturgeon research on the environment within the Hudson River Estuary. Specifically, the applicant is seeking a five-year scientific research permit characterizing habitat use, population abundance, reproduction, juvenile recruitment, age and growth, temporal and spatial distributions, diet selectivity, and contamination load of shortnose sturgeon captured from the Hudson River Estuary from New York Harbor to Troy Dam. The applicant would use anchored and drift gill nets and trawls capturing up to 240 and 2,340 shortnose sturgeon during year 1-3 and year 4-5, respectively. Research activities would also include: measuring, weighing; tagging unmarked individuals with passive integrated transponder and Floy tags; and sampling tissue for genetic analysis. A first subset of fish would be anesthetized and tagged with acoustic transmitters; a second subset would have fin rays sampled for ageing; and a third subset of fish would have gastric contents lavaged for diet analysis, as well as have blood samples taken for contaminant testing. A total of four unintended mortalities are requested over the life of the permit. TIle proposed action analyzed in the EA would not have significant environmental effects on the target or non-target species; public health and safety would not affected; no unique geographic area would be affected; and the effects of this study would not be highly uncertain, nor would they involve unique or unknown risks. Issuance of this permit would not set a precedent for future actions with significant effects, nor would it represent a decision in principle about a future consideration. There would not be individually insignificant but cumulatively significant impacts associated with the proposed action, and there would not be adverse effects on historic resources. The permit would contain mitigating measures to avoid unnecessary stress to the subject animals"--Cover letter; Portfolio comprised of three related PDF documents digitized and organized by: NOAA Office of Program Planning and Integration (PPI) National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) staff.

Download or read book Supplemental Environmental Assessment SEA on the Issuance of a Modified Scientific Research Permit file No 16482 01 to the Warnell School of Forest Resources Fisheries Division to Conduct Scientific Research on Endangered Shortnose and Atlantic Sturgeon in Georgia and Florida Waters written by and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 42 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In response to the receipt of an application for a permit modification from Warnell School of Forest Resources, Fisheries Division [hereinafter, Permit Holder, and Douglas Peterson, PhD, Responsible Party (RP)/Principal Investigator (PI)], University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602], NMFS, Office of Protected Resources (PR) proposes to modify Permit No. 16482 to include additional "takes" of shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) and Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).The permit holder proposes to continue studying the population dynamics and seasonal habitat use of Atlantic sturgeon in the rivers and estuaries as currently authorized in Permit 16482 in the Savannah (GA/SC), Ogeechee (GA), Altamaha (GA), Satilla (GA), and Saint Marys Rivers (GA/FL). The Permit Holder is authorized to capture Atlantic sturgeon with gill nets and trammel nets and also measure, weigh, genetic tissue sample, PIT tag and Floy tag, acoustic tag, laparoscope, biopsy, anesthetize, gastric lavage, fin ray clip, acoustic tag and to collect early life stages. However, the permit holder now proposes to combine takes of shortnose sturgeon, which were previously authorized under separate permits while fishing concurrently for Atlantic sturgeon. One existing shortnose sturgeon permit in Georgia waters would be terminated when the modification is issued, while other expired shortnose sturgeon permits would be reapplied for as previously authorized. The permit holder also requests taking 100 blood samples from both species captured from the Altamaha River. Further, the modification expands the project area to include northeast Florida's Nassau and St. Johns rivers and adjoining waterways, as well as to authorize the take of shortnose and Atlantic sturgeon. The modification would be valid through the expiration date of the original permit on April 5, 2017.

Download or read book Supplemental Environmental Assessment SEA on the Issuance of Two Modifications to Scientific Research Permits file Nos 14759 and 16375 to the North Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit to Conduct Research on Shortnose Sturgeon and Atlantic Sturgeon written by and published by . This book was released on 2013 with total page 18 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to issue modifications to two research permits held by the North Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit [hereinafter "Permit Holder" and Joseph Hightower, Ph.D., Responsible Party/Principal Investigator: North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695] for takes of shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) (File No. 14759-01) and for takes of Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) (File No. 16375-01) in the wild, pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The research objectives for both permits would remain unchanged: to collect data on the biology, distribution and abundance of endangered shortnose sturgeon and Atlantic sturgeon to facilitate recovery of the respective species. In Permit No. 14759, the Permit Holder is currently authorized to capture with gill net, measure, weigh, genetic tissue sample, PIT tag and Floy tag up to 15 shortnose sturgeon annually from the Chowan and Cape Fear River Basins and Albemarle Sound. Additionally, the Permit Holder is authorized to capture and sample up to 25 shortnose sturgeon per year from the Roanoke River Basin. Annually, a sub- set of up to five sub-adults or adults from each of the river basins and Albemarle Sound can also be anesthetized and surgically implanted with internal sonic transmitters annually. In Permit No. 16375, the Permit Holder is authorized to capture with gill nets measure, weigh, genetic tissue sample, PIT and Floy tag up to 200 Atlantic sturgeon annually from the same locations authorized in Permit No. 14759. Further, a sub-set of up to ninety juvenile, sub-adult or adult Atlantic sturgeon may be annually implanted with acoustic transmitter tags within the Albemarle Sound, and Roanoke, Chowan and Cape Fear River Basins, with no more than 45 tagged in each the Cape Fear River system or the combined area for the Albemarle Sound, Roanoke River and Chowan River. The applicant now requests authorization to verify spawning activity shortnose and Atlantic sturgeon by deploying artificial egg mats downstream of suspected spawning areas to take up to 50 early life stages (ELS) of each species annually from both the Roanoke River and Cape Fear River (total of 200 ELS). The expanded action area for each species up to the first impassible dam on the Roanoke River (rkm 221) and on the Cape Fear (rkm 300), will also be a part of the permit modification. All other currently authorized takes, methods and activities would remain the same for each permit. The modifications would be valid through the expiration dates of the original Permit No. 14759 (August 19, 2015) and Permit No. 16375 (April 5, 2017).