[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 63 (Wednesday, April 2, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 16002]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-7961]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 030403A]


Marine Mammals; File No. 984-1587

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 Dr. Terrie Williams, Long Marine 
Lab, Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California at Santa 
Cruz, 100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, has requested an 
amendment to scientific research Permit No. 984-1587-02.

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before May 
2, 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
    Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long 
Beach, CA 90802-4213; phone (562)980-4001; fax (562)980-4018.
    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: Amy Sloan or Ruth Johnson, (301) 713-
2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 984-
1587-02, issued on May 10, 2002 (67 FR 35102), 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. 984-1587-02 authorizes the permit holder to examine the 
physiological responses of two adult male dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) 
and three adult female California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) 
during swimming and diving. Testing involves measuring locomotor, 
thermal, and maintenance costs using voluntary behaviors through 
training at Long Marine Laboratory. Types of take for dolphins and sea 
lions include open flow respirometry, swimming, and voluntary breath 
holding. For the female sea lions, mating with an adult male on 
temporary loan, ultrasound, blood, milk, saliva, fecal, and urine 
sampling is also authorized to monitor pregnancy and test the 
hypothesis that physiological adaptations for the marine environment 
result in elevated energetic costs in otariids compared to terrestrial 
mammals.
    This amendment request is to supplement the current research 
program on otariid reproductive energetics with two pregnant adult 
female California sea lions, which are to be transferred to the 
pinniped facility at Long Marine Laboratory, University of California 
at Santa Cruz for short-term holding (up to 16 months). These additions 
will allow the Permit Holder to fulfill the intent of the original 
permit, which is to evaluate the energetics of pregnant and lactating 
sea lions. These steps are necessary due to the non-pregnant status of 
the three sea lions identified in the original permit. All animals will 
follow the research protocols of the original permit. Additional 
research requested includes 1) the measurement of assimilation 
efficiency by dietary manganese, and 2) inclusion of the offspring in 
non-intrusive metabolic trials.
    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 20, 2003.
Stephen L. Leathery,
 Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 03-7961 Filed 4-1-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S