[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 18 (Tuesday, January 28, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4178-4179]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-1907]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 011503A]


Marine Mammals and Endangered Species; File No 369-1440-01 and 
1409

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

ACTION:  Receipt of application for amendment and receipt of 
application for permit.

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SUMMARY:  Notice is hereby given that:
    Dr. Bruce R. Mate, Oregon State University, has requested an 
amendment to scientific research Permit No. 369-1440-01; and
    Karen G. Holloway-Adkins, Executive Director of East Coast 
Biologists, Inc., Indialantic, FL 32903, has applied for a scientific 
research permit.

DATES:  Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before 
February 27, 2003.

ADDRESSES:  The amendment request, 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;
    (Permit 369-1440) - Assistant Regional Administrator for Protected 
Resources, Northeast Region, NMFS, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 
01930-2298; phone (978)281-9346; fax (978)281-9371; and
    (Permit 369-1440 and File No. 1409) - Assistant Regional 
Administrator for Protected Resources, Southeast Region, NMFS, 9721 
Executive Center Drive North, St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2432; phone 
(727)570-5312; fax (727)570-5517.
    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: Ruth Johnson, Carrie Hubard or Amy 
Sloan (301)713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 369-
1440-01, issued on September 18, 1998 (63 FR 52686) is requested under 
the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended 
(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 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and the regulations 
governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and 
threatened species (50 CFR 222-226).
    Permit No. 369-1440-01 (Dr. Mate) authorizes the permit holder to: 
(1) approach to tag/biopsy sample, photograph and evaluate tag 
attachment on seven species of large whales; (2) opportunistically 
photograph an unlimited number of cetaceans and pinnipeds; (3) conduct 
research in the North Pacific, North Atlantic and International waters 
thereof; and (4) import/export samples for genetic analysis. The permit 
holder now requests authorization to conduct tagging/biopsy sampling on 
up to 24 fin whales (Baleanoptera physalus) in the Mediterranean Sea.
    Ms. Holloway-Adkins (File No. 1409) requests a permit to take 100 
green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) and 10 loggerhead sea turtles 
(Caretta caretta) annually for scientific research. Turtles will be 
captured, handled, measured, weighed, flipper and PIT tagged, and 
lavaged. The research will characterize the turtle aggregations using 
the nearshore reefs in central Brevard County as developmental habitat, 
their

[[Page 4179]]

size class and foraging habitats and movements.
    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 the amendment request to the 
Marine Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.

    Dated:January 21, 2003.
Stephen L. Leathery,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 03-1907 Filed 1-27-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S