[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 151 (Monday, August 6, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41005-41006]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-19510]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 072701G]


Marine Mammals; File No. 1012-1647

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 Robert B. Griffin, Ph.D., Center 
for Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Research, Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 
Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236, has applied in due form for a 
permit to take Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) and 
bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) for purposes of scientific 
research over a five year period.

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before 
September 5, 2001.

ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for 
review upon written request or by appointment in the following 
office(s):
    Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; 
phone (301) 713-2289; fax (301) 713-0376; and
    Southeast Region, NMFS, 9721 Executive Center Drive North, St. 
Petersburg, FL 33702-2432; phone (727) 570-5301; fax (727) 570-5320.

[[Page 41006]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Trevor Spradlin or Lynne Barre, (301) 
713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is requested under the 
authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended 
(MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) and the Regulations Governing the Taking 
and Importing of Marine Mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    The applicant is requesting to take Atlantic spotted dolphins and 
bottlenose dolphins on the west Florida continental shelf, using the 
tools of radio-telemetry, biopsy sampling, photography, and passive 
acoustic recording. For Atlantic spotted dolphins, the proposed annual 
takes are: 50 for biopsy sampling, 5,000 for photo-identification, and 
10 for suction cup telemetry tags. For bottlenose dolphins, the 
proposed annual takes are: 220 for biopsy sampling, 17,300 for photo-
identification, and 10 for suction cup telemetry tags. The research 
objectives include: (1) study of the feasibility of using suction-cup 
radio-telemetry tags on the Atlantic spotted dolphin and bottlenose 
dolphin; (2) radio telemetry of these species to answer questions of 
movement and foraging patterns; (3) photography of these species for 
contributions to existing photo-ID catalogues maintained at Mote Marine 
Laboratory; (4) further study of anthropogenic contaminant loads in 
these species; and (5) contribute to the National Marine Fisheries 
Service stock analysis database. The research will be conducted in the 
Gulf of Mexico, offshore of the west coast of Florida between Tampa Bay 
and Charlotte Harbor, and near Panama City in Choctawhatchee Bay and 
St. Andrews Bay.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial determination has been made that 
the activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to 
prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.
    Written comments or requests for a public hearing on this 
application 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. Those individuals 
requesting a hearing should set forth the specific reasons why a 
hearing on this particular request would be appropriate.
    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.
    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: July 30, 2001.
Ann D. Terbush,
Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 01-19510 Filed 8-3-01; 8:45 am]
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