[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 166 (Monday, August 26, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43737-43738]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-21707]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
[I.D. 082096C]


Marine Mammals; Scientific Research Permits (P619 and P532C)

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

ACTION: Receipt of application.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Dr. Catherine Schaeff, Department 
of Biology, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, 
Washington, D.C. 20016 (P619), and Texas A&M University, P.O. Box 1675, 
Galveston, TX 77551 [Principal Investigators: Dr. Randall Davis, et 
al.] (P532C) have applied in due form for individual permits to take 
marine mammals for purposes of scientific research.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before September 25, 
1996.

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);
    P619 - Northeast Region, NMFS, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 
01930-2298 (508/281-9250); and
    P532C - Southeast Region, NMFS, 9721 Executive Center Drive, North, 
St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2532 (813/570-5301).
    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.
    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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is requested 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 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and the regulations 
governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered fish and 
wildlife (50 CFR part 220-222.23).
    Dr. Catherine Schaeff (P617) requests a permit to import 
approximately 1067 skin samples collected from gray whales 
(Eschrichtius robustus). Up to 507 skin samples are requested to be 
imported from Canada and 560 skin samples imported from Mexico for DNA 
analysis.
    Texas A&M University (532C), Principal Investigator Dr. Randall W. 
Davis, et al., requests a permit to take a variety of marine mammals 
and marine turtles in three proposed projects: (1) Study of the Effects 
of Low Frequency Sound on Sperm Whales in the Gulf of Mexico - up to 
225 sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) may be taken by harassment 
from 30 exposure trails of low frequency sound (LFS) experiments and 
approached for photo-identification over a 3-year period. Potentially 
each individual could be taken up to 30 times. A variety of cetacea and 
marine turtle species will be inadvertently harassed due to the LFS 
experiments (a list will be provided upon request); (2) Study on the 
Behavior and Tracking of Cetaceans in the Gulf of Mexico - a variety of 
28 cetacean species found in the Gulf of Mexico (list provided upon 
request) will be taken during (a) censusing and behavioral 
observations, (b) photo-identification of sperm, killer and Bryde's 
whales, (c) skin/blubber biopsies of all cetacean species, (d) 
attachment of video camera/data logger package and satellite-linked 
time-depth recorders to sperm whales, and (e)

[[Page 43738]]

temporarily capture, blood and skin/blubber sample, freeze-brand, and 
attach satellite-linked time-depth records on small delphinids; and (3) 
Study of Diving Adaptations in Tissues of Marine Mammals - import 
muscle and skeletal material taken from South African fur seals 
(Arctocephalus pusillus), harp seals (Phoca groenlandica), harbor seals 
(Phoca vitulina), gray seals (Halichoerus grypus), Steller sea lions 
(Eumetopias jubatus), and common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) from 
South Africa and Canada. Other cetacean and pinniped specimens are 
requested to be imported worldwide as they become available.

    Dated: August 20, 1996.
Ann D. Terbush,
Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 96-21707 Filed 8-23-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F