[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 116 (Tuesday, June 17, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35859-35860]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-15296]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 060303B]


Marine Mammals; File No. 550-1712

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 Bernd Wursig, Ph.D., Professor and 
Director of the Institute of Marine Life Sciences, Texas A&M 
University, 4700 Avenue U, Building 303, Galveston, TX 77551, has 
applied in due form for a five-year permit to take bottlenose dolphins 
(Tursiops truncatus) for purposes of scientific research.

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before July 
17, 2003.

ADDRESSES: The 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; and
    Southeast Region, NMFS, 9721 Executive Center Drive North, St. 
Petersburg, FL 33702-2432; phone (727)570-5301; fax (727)570-5320.

[[Page 35860]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jill Lewandowski or Carrie Hubard, 
(301)713-2289.

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.) and the Regulations Governing the Taking 
and Importing of Marine Mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    The proposed research is a continuation of behavioral ecology 
studies of bottlenose dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico along the Texas 
and Louisiana coastline. The applicant is specifically requesting to 
take bottlenose dolphins by close approach for photo-id, behavioral 
observation and biopsy sampling. Proposed takes include 1,000 
individuals for photo-identification and behavioral observation 
annually and 250 takes of juveniles/adults by biopsy sampling over the 
course of the Permit. Calves would not be biopsy sampled.
    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)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 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: June 11, 2003.
Stephen L. Leathery,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 03-15296 Filed 6-16-03; 8:45 am]
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