[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 58 (Wednesday, March 26, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14585-14586]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-7253]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 021203B]


Marine Mammals; File No. 763-1534

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

ACTION: Receipt of application for permit amendment

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Smithsonian Institution, 
National Zoological Park, Washington, D.C. 20008-2598 (Dr. Daryl 
Boness, Principal Investigator) has requested an amendment to 
scientific research permit no. 763-1534.

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before 
April 25, 2003.

ADDRESSES: The amendment request 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
    Assistant Regional Administrator for Protected Resources, Northeast 
Region, NOAA Fisheries, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-2298; 
phone (508)281-9250; fax (508)281-9371.
    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 or Jennifer Skidmore, 
(301)713-2289 or e-mail: [email protected] or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment, to Permit No. 763-
1534 issued on March 10, 2000 (65 FR 14947), is requested under the 
authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 
U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) and the Regulations Governing the Taking and 
Importing of Marine Mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    Permit No. 763-1534 authorizes the National Zoological Park to 
import and export up to 252 Atlantic grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) 
samples from Nova Scotia, Canada. The Permit also authorizes 
opportunistic collection, import/export of specimen materials from non-
endangered pinnipeds and cetaceans. The samples are used for DNA 
analysis to determine if grey seal alternative mating strategies exist 
across all ages and provide comaprable rates of reproductive success to 
the primary strategy.

[[Page 14586]]

    The permit holder now requests authorization to: (1) Import up to 
70 muscle tissue samples and 390 blood samples taken from grey seals on 
Sable Island, Canada during 2003; (2) import 400 blood plasma samples 
per year taken from captive hooded seals in Norway; (3) add Dr. Shawn 
N. Kramer as a co-investigator; and (4) extend the period of the permit 
through March 2005. The objectives of the studies are: to investigate 
the relationship between body mass at weaning, rate of mass loss and 
development of oxygen storage capacity during the post-weaning fast; 
the time of departure from the breeding grounds; and to conduct a 
validation study using captive hooded seals to determine details of 
foraging activity that will allow scientists to estimate body 
composition and to determine dose-response and kinetics of excretion of 
biomarkers.
    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: March 19, 2003.
Stephen L. Leathery,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 03-7253 Filed 3-25-03; 8:45 am]
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