[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 106 (Friday, June 2, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32044-32045]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-8621]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 052406C]


Marine Mammals; File Nos. 455-1760, 116-1786, 898-1764

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

ACTION: Notice; issuance of permits.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that permits to conduct research and/or 
enhancement activities on captive Hawaiian monk seals (Monachus 
schauinslandi) have been issued to the following organizations:
    File No. 455-1760: The Waikiki Aquarium, 2777 Kalakaua Avenue, 
Honolulu, HI 96815 (Dr. Andrew Rossiter, Responsible Party).
    File No. 116-1786: Sea World, Inc., 7007 Sea World Dr., Orlando, FL 
32821 (Brad Andrews, Responsible Party).
    File No. 898-1764: Sea Life Park Hawaii, 41-202 Kalanianaole 
Highway, Waimanalo, HI 96795 (Dr. Renato Lenzi, Responsible Party).

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)427-2521;
    Pacific Islands Region, NMFS, 1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Rm 1110, 
Honolulu, HI 96814-4700; phone (808)973-2935; fax (808)973-2941; 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 May 19, 2005, notice was published in the 
Federal Register (70 FR 28909) that a request for an enhancement permit 
had been submitted by Sea World, Inc. On July 15, 2004, notice was 
published in the Federal Register (69 FR 42424) that a request for a 
scientific research and

[[Page 32045]]

enhancement permit application had been submitted by the Waikiki 
Aquarium, and an enhancement permit application had been submitted by 
Sea Life Park Hawaii. The requested permits have 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.), and the 
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of 
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226).
    The permits authorize continued captive maintenance, enhancement, 
and research (at the Waikiki Aquarium only) on endangered Hawaiian monk 
seals. The permits will expire in 5 years.
    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 these permits, as required by the ESA, were based on a 
finding that such permit: (1) Were applied for in good faith; (2) will 
not operate to the disadvantage of such endangered species; and (3) are 
consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the 
ESA.

    Dated: May 26, 2006.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E6-8621 Filed 6-1-06; 8:45 am]
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