[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 125 (Friday, June 28, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43586-43587]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-16383]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 062102C]


Marine Mammals; File No. 1007-1629

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

ACTION: Receipt of application for amendment.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Leszek Karczmarski, Ph.D., Marine 
Mammal Research Program, Texas A&M University, 4700 Avenue U, Building 
303, Galveston, Texas 77551, has requested an amendment to scientific 
research Permit No. 1007-1629-00.

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

ADDRESSES: The amendment request and related documents are available 
for review upon written request or by appointment in the following 
office(s):
    Chief, 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
    Protected Species Coordinator, Pacific Area Office, NMFS, 1601 
Kapiolani Blvd., Room 1110, Honolulu, HI 96814-4700; phone (808)973-
2935; fax (808)973-2941.
    Written comments or requests for a public hearing on this request 
should be submitted 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 amendment 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 other electronic 
media.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 1007-
1629-00, issued on August 13, 2001 (66 FR 42523), is requested under 
the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended 
(16

[[Page 43587]]

U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), and the Regulations Governing the Taking and 
Importing of Marine Mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    Permit No. 1007-1629-00 authorizes the take of 1,400 individual 
Hawaiian spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) annually by 
behavioral observation and photo-identification, 400 individuals 
annually through genetic swabbing, and an unlimited number of 
individuals by close approach incidental to research activities. The 
purpose of the research is to compare population structure, genetic 
flow and social behavior between groups of Hawaiian spinner dolphins in 
Kure Atoll, Midway Atoll and Pearl & Hermes Reef.
    The current request is to amend Permit No. 1007-1629-00 to: (1) 
expand the geographic area of study to include both the Hawaiian 
northwestern and main islands; (2) increase the take numbers, based on 
this expanded geographic area, to 5,000 individuals annually through 
behavioral observation and photo-identification and 600 individuals 
annually through the collection of genetic samples; and (3) authorize 
the use of biopsy sampling through pole-spearing in addition to 
swabbing.
    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.
    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: June 21, 2002.
Trevor R. Spradlin,
Acting Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 02-16383 Filed 6-27-02; 8:45 am]
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