[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 193 (Monday, October 6, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57673-57674]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-25271]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 091603C]


Marine Mammals; File Nos. 774-1714-00 and 782-1719-00

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

ACTION: Receipt of applications.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the following Agencies have 
applied in due form for a permit to take various pinniped, cetacean and 
sea turtles during stock assessment activities for purposes of 
scientific research:
    774-1714 - Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine 
Fisheries Service, 8604 La Jolla Shores Dr., La Jolla, CA 92037 
(Principal Investigator: Stephen B. Reilly, Ph. D.); and
    782-1719 - National Marine Mammal Laboratory, National Marine 
Fisheries Service, 7600 Sand Point Way, NE, BIN C15700, Seattle, WA 
98115 (Principal Investigator: Sue Moore, Ph.D.).

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before 
November 5, 2003.

ADDRESSES: The applications and related documents are available for 
review upon written request or by appointment in the following 
office(s) (see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION)

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ruth Johnson, Carrie Hubard or Patrick 
Opay, (301)713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permits are 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 Endangered 
Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and the 
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of 
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR 222-226).
    Southwest Fisheries Science Center (File No. 774-1714) requests a 
permit to take marine mammals and sea turtles during stock assessment 
research activities. The application consists of three projects: 
Project I (Pinniped Studies) is to conduct population assessments for 
northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris), California sea lions 
(Zalophus californianus), Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) and 
harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardsi) via aerial and ground/vessel 
surveys and photogrammetry to determine abundance, distribution 
patterns, length frequencies, breeding densities. Scat and spew will be 
collected from California sea lions to determine the diet of this 
species. This research is part of an ongoing program to assess the 
status of pinniped species and identify fishery-marine mammal 
conflicts. Each of the pinniped species requested interacts with 
fisheries off California. Project II (Cetacean Studies) is to determine 
the abundance, distribution, movement patterns, and stock structure of 
cetaceans in U.S. territorial and international waters. These studies 
are conducted through vessel surveys, aerial surveys, helicopter and 
small plane photogrammetry, photo-identification (from vessels and 
small boats), biological sample collection, and tagging and tracking of 
individual animals. Cetacean abundance data will be used to set limits 
(PBRs) of allowable human-caused mortality under the MMPA and to 
monitor trends in abundance through time. Genetic and other analyses of 
biological samples collected will be used to determine stock structure 
for the appropriate management of these species. Tagging and tracking 
activities will help address outstanding needs for data on movements 
and dive time correction factors for abundance estimation procedures. 
Project II activities also include the salvage and import/export of 
cetacean parts, specimens and biological samples. Project III (Sea 
Turtle Studies) is to determine the abundance, distribution, movement 
patterns, stock structure and diet of marine turtles in U.S. 
territorial and international waters. Project III studies will occur 
opportunistically to research activities conducted under Project II. 
Sea Turtle data opportunistically collected during cetacean surveys 
will be useful in determining movements and distribution of turtle 
species in the ETP, especially for olive ridley turtles. The research 
activities proposed in this application will provide information on 
movements and distribution from tag re-sights, genetic analyses of 
tissue biopsy and blood samples, and continued analyses of sea turtle 
distribution from sightings data. NMFS recovery plans for

[[Page 57674]]

these species stress the need for a clarification of stock identity 
issues and determination of habitat needs and primary foraging areas. 
Project III also entails the salvage, import and export of marine 
turtle parts, specimens and biological samples.
    In addition to import/export/re-export authorization for biological 
samples collected during the research activities, the Applicant 
requests authorization to import/export/re-export parts, salvaged 
specimens and biological samples or salvaged parts and specimens 
collected by other researchers under their own authorization.
    782-1719 - National Marine Mammal Laboratory submitted a complete 
application on May 21, 2003 to take various cetacean species during 
stock assessment research activities. The application was published in 
the Federal Register on June 4, 2003 (68 FR 33477). The applicant has 
submitted a supplemental request to that application to take endangered 
marine mammals in the Antarctic.
    Written comments or requests for a public hearing on these 
applications 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.
    Documents for both applications may be reviewed in the following 
locations:
    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
    Assistant Regional Administrator for Protected Resources, Northwest 
Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, BIN C15700, Bldg. 1, Seattle, WA 
98115-0700; phone (206)526-6150; fax (206)526-6426;
    Assistant Regional Administrator for Protected Resources, Alaska 
Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668; phone (907)586-
7235; fax (907)586-7012;
    Assistant Regional Administrator for Protected Resources, Southwest 
Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-
4213; phone (562)980-4020; fax (562)980-4027; and
    Assistant Administrator, Pacific Islands Regional Office, NMFS, 
1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Suite 1110, Honolulu, HI 96814-4700; phone 
(808)973-2935; fax (808)973-2941.

    Dated: September 30, 2003.
Stephen L. Leathery,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 03-25271 Filed 10-3-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S