[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 145 (Tuesday, July 29, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44526-44527]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-19260]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 070703C]


Marine Mammals; File No. 699-1720

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 Dr. Kathryn Ono, Department of 
Biological Sciences, University of New England, Marine Sciences Center, 
11 Hills Beach Road, Biddeford, ME 04005, has applied in due form for a 
permit to take harbor seals (Phoca vitulina concolor), gray seals 
(Halichoerus grypus), harp seals (Phoca groenlandica) and hooded seals 
(Cystophora cristata) for purposes of scientific research.

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before 
August 28, 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
    Northeast Region, NMFS, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-
2298; phone (978)281-9200; fax (978)281-9371

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah Wilkin or Jennifer Jefferies, 
(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.), the Regulations Governing the Taking 
and Importing of Marine Mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    The purpose of the research is to assess the health of the 
Northeast Atlantic harbor seal population residing along the coast of 
Maine. The permit would authorize the applicant to take up to 200 
harbor seals annually by capture, and 20 young of the year pups

[[Page 44527]]

would be physically restrained and have morphometric measurements, 
samples of blood, feces, and skin biopsies taken, and flipper tags 
attached. Annually, 10 pups would have satellite tags attached to allow 
movement tracking and behavioral analysis. Authorization of 2 
accidental mortalities of harbor seals annually is requested. 
Accidental capture of 5 gray seals, 3 harp seals, and 3 hooded seals 
annually is also requested. Additionally, annual authorization for 
Level B Harassment is requested for 400 harbor seals, 5 grey seals, 3 
harp seals and 3 hooded seals, annually. The proposed research would 
study movement and migration patterns for young of the year pups. The 
movements, disease load, survival and behavior of wild-caught pups will 
be compared with rehabilitated pups from the same population and cohort 
to determine baseline ``normal'' behavior. The Permit would expire 5 
years after the date of issuance.
    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: July 23, 2003.
Stephen L. Leathery,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 03-19260 Filed 7-28-03; 8:45 am]
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