[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 186 (Tuesday, September 26, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 56110]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-15682]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 091306B]


Marine Mammals; File No. 1034-1854

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

ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit.

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SUMMARY:  Notice is hereby given that Markus Horning, Ph.D., Department 
of Fisheries & Wildlife, Oregon State University, Hatfield Marine 
Science Center, 2030 SE Marine Science Drive, Newport, OR 97365, has 
been issued a permit to conduct research on Weddell seals 
(Leptonychotes weddellii).

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; and
    Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long 
Beach, CA 90802-4213; phone (562)980-4001; fax (562)980-4018.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 29, 2006, notice was published in 
the Federal Register (71 FR 37060) that a request for a scientific 
research permit to take the species identified above had been submitted 
by the above-named individual. 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.), and the regulations governing the 
taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    Dr. Horning has been issued a 5-year permit to study aging in 
Weddell seals in Antarctica. Specifically, researchers will capture and 
sedate seals to attach instruments and take tissue samples to compare 
oxygen handling, body condition, muscle physiology, and foraging 
behavior of young and old adults. Incidental harassment and mortality 
may occur during these activities. Samples will be imported into the 
U.S. for analyses.
    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.

    Dated: September 19, 2006.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E6-15682 Filed 9-25-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S