[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 151 (Friday, August 6, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47914-47915]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-18051]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 072904C]


Marine Mammals; File No. 1054-1731

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 the University of Florida, 
Aquatic Animal Program, College of Veterinary Medicine, 2015 SW 16th 
Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32610 (Dr. Ruth Frances-Floyd, Principal 
Investigator), has been issued a permit to import and export marine 
mammal specimens 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
    Southeast Region, NMFS, 9721 Executive Center Drive North, St. 
Petersburg, FL 33702-2432; phone (727)570-5301; fax (727)570-5320.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 30, 2004, notice was published in 
the Federal Register (69 FR 25374) that a request for a scientific 
research permit to import and export marine mammal species under NMFS 
jurisdiction had been submitted by the above-named organization. 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), the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), the regulations governing the taking, importing, 
and exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-
226), and the Fur Seal Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et 
seq.).
    The Holder is authorized to receive, import, and export marine 
mammal specimens for research on diseases in marine mammals. Infectious 
disease investigations include viral pathogens such as West Nile virus, 
St. Louis Encephalitis virus, herpes virus, and pox viruses. Other 
projects include

[[Page 47915]]

development of a marine mammal histology database and atlas, research 
on the effects of boat strikes on cetacean bone, and investigation into 
acute phase proteins in cetaceans. Cell lines may be developed from 
marine mammal tissues. The permit has been issued for five years.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), a final determination has been made that the 
activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to 
prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.
    Issuance of this permit, as required by the ESA, was based on a 
finding that such permit (1) was applied for in good faith, (2) will 
not operate to the disadvantage of the endangered species which is the 
subject of this permit, and (3) is consistent with the purposes and 
policies set forth in section 2 of the ESA.

    Dated: August 3, 2004.
Jennifer Skidmore,
Acting Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 04-18051 Filed 8-5-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S