[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 45 (Monday, March 8, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10681-10682]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-5188]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 030204A]


Marine Mammals; File No. 881-1745

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 the Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC), 
P.O. Box 1329, Seward, Alaska 99664 (Dr. Shannon Atkinson, Principal 
Investigator), has applied for a permit to take Steller sea lions 
(Eumetopias jubatus) for purposes of scientific research.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or 
before April 7, 2004.

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
    Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668; phone 
(907)586-7221; fax (907)586-7249.
    Comments may also be submitted by e-mail. The mailbox address for 
providing email comments is [email protected]. Include in the 
subject line of the e-mail comment the following document identifier: 
File No. 881-1745

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Sloan or Dr. Tammy Adams, 
(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 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).
    The ASLC requests a 5-year permit to continue its research on three 
permanently captive Steller sea lions held by the ASLC to investigate 
stress responses, endocrine and immune system function, and seasonal 
variations to normal biological parameters such as mass and body 
composition, and to conduct research and development of external tags 
and attachments for future deployment in the field. These animals will 
also be used to develop and test less intrusive methods that can be 
used in the field. Authorization is requested: (1) for attachment of 
scientific instruments, stomach temperature telemetry, stable isotope 
administration via food or intravenously, oral administration of 
deuterium labeled vitamins, and video/photographic/ radiographic/
digital/thermal imaging; (2) for collecting morphometric data, blubber 
ultrasound measurements, blood samples, epidermal and mucosal swabs, 
blubber biopsies, and bioenergetic and metabolic measurements; (3) for 
conducting bioelectrical impedance analysis, hormone stimulation 
trials, food trials/dietary manipulation/fasting studies, underwater 
foraging and drag trials; and (4) for determining body condition via 
D20 injections and total blood volume via Evans blue dye injection.
    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.
    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.


[[Page 10682]]


    Dated: March 3, 2004.
Stephen L. Leathery,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 04-5188 Filed 3-5-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S