[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 171 (Wednesday, September 4, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56535-56536]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-22545]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D.082802E]


Marine Mammals; File No. 9391682

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 Michael Moore, Ph.D., Woods Hole 
Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543, has applied 
in due form for a permit to collect, import and export parts from all 
cetaceans and pinniped species (excluding walrus) for purposes of 
scientific research.

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before 
October 4, 2002.

ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for 
review upon written request or by appointment in the following 
office(s):

[[Page 56536]]

    Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 
20910; phone (301)7132289; fax (301)7130376; and
    Northeast Region, NMFS, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 
019302298; phone (978)2819200; fax (978)2819371.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Skidmore or Ruth Johnson, 
(301)7132289.

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 Endangered 
Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), the 
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of 
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR 222226), and the Fur Seal Act 
of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).
    The applicant proposes to examine parameters that affect the health 
of marine mammals in terms of body condition and exposure to, and 
effects of, hydrocarbon contaminants. The applicant requests 
opportunistic collection of samples from deceased stranded marine 
mammals, subsequent export/re-import of those samples and authorization 
to import/re-export marine mammal parts taken from captive stocks, 
direct and indirect take in fisheries, found dead at sea or beached, 
found dead by natural causes or taken under a permit by biopsy. No 
animals will be deliberately killed to fulfill samples requested by the 
applicant.
    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)7130376, 
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: August 29, 2002.
Eugene T. Nitta,
Acting Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 02-22545 Filed 9302; 8:45 am]
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