Supplemental environmental assessment for issuance of amendments to scientific research permit no. 14097-03 to add specific cetacean research activities [Updated FONSI] : a supplement to the 2010 EA "Environmental assessment for issuance of a scientific research permit [file 14097] for pinniped, cetacean and sea turtle studies Issuance of amendments to scientific research permit no. 14097-03 to add specific cetacean research activities NMFS SEA: Permit Nos. 14097-04 & -05

"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.