[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 135 (Friday, July 15, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 40990]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-13990]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 052505C]


Marine Mammals; File No. 909-1726-00

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 Dan Engelhaupt, P.O. Box 197, 
Picton, New Zealand has been issued a permit to conduct 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;
    Northeast Region, NMFS, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-
2298; phone (978)281-9200; fax (978)281-9371;
    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: Carrie Hubard or Ruth Johnson, 
(301)713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 21, 2004, notice was published in 
the Federal Register (69 FR 2902) that a request for a scientific 
research permit to take marine mammals had been submitted by the above-
named individual. The requested permit has been granted 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.), and the 
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of 
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226).
    Permit No. 909-1726-00 authorizes the Holder to biopsy sample and 
collect naturally sloughed skin from sperm whales (Physeter 
macrocephalus) and a variety of other non-listed cetacean species in 
the Gulf of Mexico, North Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and 
Mediterranean Sea. The goal is the continuation of a previous four-year 
study that analyzes population genetic structure between the Gulf of 
Mexico, Caribbean Sea, North Atlantic Ocean, and Mediterranean Sea and 
provides a comparison of these putative geographic populations with 
those of other geographic areas. Samples would be obtained via biopsy 
dart, opportunistically collected sloughed skin, as well using extant 
samples of stored material obtained from NMFS Southeast and Northeast 
regional stranding networks. Samples will be imported/exported to 
research facilities in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Canada, and the 
United States for genetic sample processing.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an environmental assessment was prepared 
analyzing the effects of the permitted activities. After a Finding of 
No Significant Impact, the determination was made that it was not 
necessary to prepare an 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: July 11, 2005.
Stephen L. Leathery,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 05-13990 Filed 7-14-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S