The Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) in Seattle wants to amend its permit to use satellite tags to determine the abundance, distribution, movement patterns, habitat use, contaminant levels, prey, behavior, energetics, and stock structure of cetacean species in the eastern North Pacific off the coast of Washington, Oregon, and California.
The permit holder is requesting the permit be amended to increase the number of suction cup tags (from 10 to 20 animals annually) and to add satellite tagging of six Southern Resident Orca Whales with dart tags annually. The primary purpose of this request is to determine winter ranges and increase data on distribution patterns of Southern Resident Orca Whales for use in critical habitat determinations.
The studies are carried out through vessel surveys, photo-identification from large and small vessels, biological sample collection, passive acoustic monitoring, and satellite/radio and data log/time-depth tagging and tracking. The permit authorizes NWFSC to take endangered blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus), fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus), and Southern Resident killer whales (SRKW, Orcinus orca), as well as 15 non-ESA-listed cetacean species. The permit expires on April 14, 2011.
Written comments on this application should be submitted to the Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, at the address listed below. Comments may also be submitted by facsimile to (301) 713- 0376, or by e-mail to NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Please include File No. 781-1824 in the subject line of the e-mail comment. Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a written request to the Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division at the address listed above. The request should set forth the specific reasons why a hearing on this application would be appropriate.
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; and Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, BIN C15700, Bldg. 1, Seattle, WA 98115-0700; phone (206) 526-6150; fax (206) 526-6426.
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Wait a minute – I’m trying to write re the public hearing as instructed in the article, but I see “see the address below” and then below, “see the address above”. Where exactly are we supposed to write re the public hearing request? I guess I’ll email, and write Silver Spring and Seattle.