[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 39 (Wednesday, February 27, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8941-8942]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-4673]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 021402C]


Marine Mammals; File No. 1021-1658

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 Jenifer A. Hurley, Ph.D., Moss 
Landing Marine Laboratories, 8272 Moss Landing Road, Moss Landing, CA 
95039, has applied in due form for a permit to take California sea 
lions (Zalophus californianus) and harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) for 
purposes of scientific research.

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before 
March 29, 2002.

ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for 
review upon written request or by appointment in the following 
office(s):
    Permits, Conservation and Education 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
    Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long 
Beach, CA 90802-4213; phone (562) 980-4001; fax (562) 980-4018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ruth Johnson or Amy Sloan (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.), the Regulations Governing the Taking 
and Importing of Marine Mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    The applicant proposes to obtain up to 10 California sea lions 
(CSL) and 5 harbor seals (HS) with no more than 8 animals (6 CSL and 2 
HS) maintained at any given time. Animals will be obtained from 
rehabilitation centers, Naval facilities, or aquaria to be used in the 
research program. All research projects are accomplished through the 
cooperative assistance of trained marine mammals. The three proposed 
areas of research focus include physiology research, veterinary 
medicine, and ocean exploration. First, physiology experiments will be 
performed in both the laboratory and free release settings in the open 
ocean, continuing on and building on previous physiology

[[Page 8942]]

studies. Different aspects of diving, swimming, and resting physiology 
will be studied comparatively including metabolism, heart rate, 
respiratory rate, body temperature, and substrate utilization. Second, 
the veterinary medicine studies will investigate health issues of 
marine mammals, including a plan to determine if marine mammals have 
Helicobacter present in stomach mucous and explore possible antibiotic 
treatments. Third, for the ocean exploration studies, CSLs will be 
trained to perform open ocean activities to include carrying cameras 
for benthic surveys and to assist in nautical archaeology.
    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, Conservation and 
Education 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: February 21, 2002.
Ann D. Terbush,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 02-4673 Filed 2-26-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S