[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 220 (Wednesday, November 15, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57400-57401]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-28203]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
[I.D. 101395D]


Marine Mammals and Endangered Species

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

ACTION: Receipt of application for a scientific research permit (P597).

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Mr. Michael Kundu of Arcturus 
Adventure Communications, 1026-A 56th Street SE, Everett, WA 98203 has 
applied in due form for a permit to take several species of marine 
mammals for photographic purposes.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before December 15, 
1995.

ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for 
review upon written request or by appointment in the following 
office(s):
    Permits Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-
West Highway, Room 13130, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301/713-2289); and
    Director, Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way, NE, BIN 
C15700, Building 1, Seattle, WA 98115-0070 (206/526-6150).
    Written data or views, or requests for a public hearing on this 
request, should be submitted to the Director, 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 request would be 
appropriate.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is requested under the 
authority of Sec. 104(c)(6) 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). Section 
104(c)(6) provides for photography for educational or commercial 
purposes involving non-endangered and non-depleted marine mammals in 
the wild. NMFS is currently working on proposed regulations to 
implement this provision. However, in the meantime, NMFS has received 
and is processing this request as a ``pilot'' application for Level B 
Harassment of non-listed and non-depleted marine mammals for 
photographic purposes. The applicant seeks authorization to photograph 
the following marine mammals: Harbor seal (Phoca vitulina); California 
sea lion 

[[Page 57401]]
(Zalaphus californianus); Steller sea lion (Eumetepias jubatus); 
Northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris); killer whale (Orcinus 
orca); Gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus); minke whale (Balaenoptera 
acutorostrata); Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli); harbor porpoise 
(Phocoena phocoena); and Pacific white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus 
obliquidens). Although the applicant has requested authority to harass 
Steller sea lions, he has been advised that such authorization is not 
possible inasmuch as this species is listed as ``Threatened'' under the 
Endangered Species Act. The applicant proposes to initiate this work on 
January 1, 1996.
    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: October 20, 1995.
Ann D. Terbush,
Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-28203 Filed 11-14-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F