[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 173 (Monday, September 8, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 52906]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-22783]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 061903B]


Marine Mammals; File No. 1045-1713

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

ACTION: Issuance of permit.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Dr. Stephen J. Insley, Hubbs-Sea 
World Research Institute, 2595 Ingraham St., San Diego, California 
92109 has been issued a permit to take northern fur seals (Callorhinus 
ursinus) for purposes of scientific research.

ADDRESSES: The permit 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
    Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668; phone 
(907)586-7221; fax (907)586-7249.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Jefferies or Amy Sloan, 
(301)713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    On May 12, 2003, notice was published in the Federal Register (68 
FR 25349) that a request for a scientific research permit to take the 
species identified above had been submitted by the above-named 
individual. The requested permit has been issued under the authority of 
the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et 
seq.), the Regulations Governing the Taking and Importing of Marine 
Mammals (50 CFR part 216), and the Fur Seal Act of 1966, as amended (16 
U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).
    This research project is designed to remotely investigate at-sea 
interactions between northern fur seals and ships, particularly the 
impact of commercial fishing vessels on the northern fur seals. 
Annually, ten lactating female northern fur seals from the Pribilof 
Islands in Alaska will be captured, measured, outfitted with 
datalogging instrumentation, and released. The individuals will be 
tracked and recaptured, the datalogger removed and the animals 
subsequently released. Additionally, Level B Harrassment of northern 
fur seals is authorized for 50 pups, 50 breeding females, 25 mature 
males, and 50 immature males, annually. These activities will be 
authorized over five years. The results of this research will provide 
important information for management decisions regarding northern fur 
seals.

    Dated: July 30, 2003.
Stephen L. Leathery,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 03-22783 Filed 9-5-03; 8:45 am]
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