[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 64 (Thursday, April 3, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16262-16263]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-8119]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 012903A]


Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals 
Incidental to Conducting Oil and Gas Exploration Activities in the Gulf 
of Mexico

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

ACTION: Notice of extension of comment deadline.

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SUMMARY: Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), on March 3, 
2003, NMFS published a notice of receipt of an application for the 
harassment of marine mammals incidental to conducting seismic surveys 
by the U.S. oil and gas industry in the Gulf of Mexico. By this 
document, NMFS announces an extension of the comment deadline.

DATES: Comments and information must be postmarked no later than April 
16, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to the Chief, Marine Mammal 
Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine 
Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West

[[Page 16263]]

Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3226. A copy of the application and a 
list of references used in this document may be obtained by writing to 
this address, or by telephoning the contact listed here (see FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). Comments will not be accepted if 
submitted via e-mail or the Internet.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth R. Hollingshead, NMFS, 301-
713-2055, ext 128.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Section 101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) directs 
the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) to allow, upon request, the 
incidental, but not intentional taking of marine mammals by U.S. 
citizens who engage in a specified activity (other than commercial 
fishing) within a specified geographical region if certain findings are 
made and regulations are issued.
    On March 3, 2003 (68 FR 9991), NMFS announced that it had received 
a request from the U.S. Minerals Management Service of the Department 
of the Interior, for authorization to harass small numbers of marine 
mammals, principally the sperm whale, incidental to conducting seismic 
surveys in the GOM. As a result of that request, NMFS is considering 
whether to propose regulations that would govern the incidental taking 
of small numbers of marine mammals under Letters of Authorization 
(LOAs) issued to members of the seismic industry that might have 
interactions with sperm whales. In order to promulgate regulations and 
issue LOAs, NMFS must determine that these takings will have a 
negligible impact on the affected species and stocks of marine mammals. 
By this document, NMFS extends the comment period on the preliminary 
application and suggestions on the content of the regulations comment 
until April 16, 2003.

    Dated: March 28, 2003.
Laurie K. Allen,
Acting Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 03-8119 Filed 3-31-03; 3:45 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S