[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 234 (Monday, December 7, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 67461]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-32431]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 120198A]


Marine Mammals

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

ACTION: Request to transfer a non-releasable rehabilitated marine 
mammal.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Marine Mammal Care Center at 
Fort MacArthur, 3601 South Gaffey Street, San Pedro, CA 90731, has 
requested authorization to transfer a non-releasable rehabilitated 
California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) to Gabriel J. Kerschner, 
Wild Things, Inc., 1211 Ponderosa Way, Weimar, CA 95736, for purposes 
of public display.

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before 
January 6, 1999.
ADDRESSES: The authorization request and related documents are 
available for review upon written request or by appointment in the 
following office:
    Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13130, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301/
713-2289).
    Written comments on this request should be mailed to the Chief, 
Permits and Documentation Division, F/PR1, Office of Protected 
Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 
20910.
    Comments may also be submitted by facsimile at (301) 713-0376, 
provided the facsimile is confirmed by hard copy submitted by mail and 
postmarked no later than the closing date of the comment period. Please 
note that comments will not be accepted by e-mail or by other 
electronic media.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ann Hochman, 301/713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Marine Mammal Care Center is requesting 
authorization to transfer one female California sea lion from 
unreleasable beached and stranded stock for the purpose of public 
display, as authorized by 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 permanent retention for public display purposes of a beached or 
stranded marine mammal taken for the purpose of rehabilitation under 
section 109(h) of the MMPA must be authorized by NMFS before such 
animals may be retained by the rehabilitating facility, transported 
domestically to a public display facility, or exported to another 
facility for public display purposes, in accordance with applicable 
MMPA requirements.
    In order to obtain any marine mammal for public display purposes, 
the recipient must meet the following three public display criteria: 
(1) Offer a program for education or conservation purposes that is 
based on professionally recognized standards of the public display 
community; (2) be registered or hold a license issued under 7 U.S.C. 
2131 et seq., ie., from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 
(APHIS), U.S. Department of Agriculture; and (3) maintain facilities 
for the public display of marine mammals that are open to the public on 
a regularly scheduled basis and to which access is not limited or 
restricted other than by charging of an admission fee.
    Wild Things, Inc., has an exhibitor's license, No. 93-C-0382, 
issued by APHIS under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). However, Wild 
Things, Inc., does not currently maintain marine mammals. The care and 
maintenance of captive marine mammals must adhere to the requirements 
of the AWA. Consequently, a copy of the request is also being sent to 
APHIS.
    Wild Things, Inc., is open to the public on the first Saturday of 
each month with access that is not limited or restricted other than by 
charging an admission fee, and will offer an educational program based 
upon the standards of the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums. 
Wild Things, Inc., plans to add this marine mammal to its outreach 
program to local school assembly programs. Transportation associated 
with these assembly programs will be conducted according to APHIS 
standards under the AWA. Also, Wild Things, Inc., will be required to 
submit to NMFS a transport notification 15 days in advance of any 
proposed transport, as required under section 104(c) of the MMPA.

    Dated: December 1, 1998.
Art Jeffers,
Acting Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-32431 Filed 12-4-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F