[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 225 (Wednesday, November 23, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 70788]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-23204]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 111605D]


Marine Mammals; File No. 918-1820

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 Squalus, Inc., P.O. Box 301, 
Myakka City, FL 34251 has applied in due form for a permit to import 
four South American (Patagonian) sea lions (Otaria flavescens) for the 
purposes of public display.

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before 
December 23, 2005.

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) 427-2521; http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/review.htm; and
    Southeast Region, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, FL 
33701; phone (727) 824-5312; fax (727) 824-5309.
    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) 427-2521, 
provided the facsimile is confirmed by hard copy submitted by mail and 
postmarked no later than the closing date of the comment period.
    Comments may also be submitted by e-mail. The mailbox address for 
providing e-mail comments is [email protected]. Include in the 
subject line of the e-mail comment the following document identifier: 
File No. 918-1820.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kate Swails or Jennifer Skidmore, 
(301/713-2289).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is requested under the 
authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 
U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), and the Regulations Governing the Taking and 
Importing of Marine Mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    The applicant requests authorization to import one male and three 
female, captive-born, juvenile Patagonian sea lions from Park Atlantis, 
Mexico City, Mexico to the Squalus facilities in Myakka City, Florida. 
The applicant requests this import for the purpose of public display. 
The receiving facility is aware of the public display criteria for 
holding marine mammals for public display and their obligation to 
demonstrate said criteria prior to acquiring these animals. Squalus' 
programs are open to the public on regularly scheduled basis with 
access that is not limited or restricted other than by charging for an 
admission fee. Squalus offers an educational program based on 
professionally accepted standards and holds an Exhibitor's License, 
number 58-C-0648, issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture under 
the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2131-59).
    In addition to determining whether the applicant meets the three 
public display criteria, NMFS must determine whether the applicant has 
demonstrated that the proposed activity is humane and does not 
represent any unnecessary risks to the health and welfare of marine 
mammals; that the proposed activity by itself, or in combination with 
other activities, will not likely have a significant adverse impact on 
the species or stock; and that the applicant's expertise, facilities 
and resources are adequate to accomplish successfully the objectives 
and activities stated in the application.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial determination has been made that 
the activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to 
prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.
    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.

    Dated: November 16, 2005.
Stephen L. Leathery,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 05-23204 Filed 11-22-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S