[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 154 (Tuesday, August 11, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 42828]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-21393]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 073198A]


Marine Mammals; Permit No. 939

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

ACTION: Receipt of application for amendment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Point Reyes Bird Observatory, 
4990 Shoreline Highway, Stinson Beach, CA 94970-9701, has requested an 
amendment to scientific research Permit No. 939.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before September 10, 
1998.
ADDRESSES: The amendment request 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 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301/713-2289); and
    Regional Administrator, Southwest Region, National Marine Fisheries 
Service, 501 West ocean Boulevard, Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-
4213 (562/980-4001).
    Written data or views, or requests for a public hearing on this 
request should be submitted to the Chief, Permits Division, F/PR1, 
Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 
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, 301/713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment is requested under the 
authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 
U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), and the Regulations Governing the Taking and 
Importing of Marine Mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    The Permit Holder is currently authorized to flipper tag and/or 
mark up to 2,900 Northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) on 
the South Farallon Islands and at Point Reyes National Seashore 
annually, over a five-year period; and inadvertently harass up to 100 
harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), 1,200 California sea lions (Zalophus 
californianus) and 70 northern sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) during 
the tagging activities, and during opportunistic collection of dead 
prematurely born northern sea lion pups.
    The Holder is now requesting that the Permit be amended to 
authorize: Roto-tagging of up to 50 harbor seals at Point Reyes 
Headland, California; dye marking of up to 100 harbor seals per year in 
San Francisco Bay; and blood sampling of up to 25 harbor seals per year 
at those locations. Authorization is also requested to inadvertently 
harass up to 500 harbor seals per year during the tagging, marking, and 
blood sampling activities.
    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: August 3, 1998.
Ann D. Terbush,
Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-21393 Filed 8-10-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F