[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 214 (Monday, November 6, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64943-64944]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-18683]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 103006C]


Marine Mammals; File No. 373-1868

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for permit.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Point Reyes Bird Observatory 
(PRBO) Conservation Science (Dr. William J. Sydeman, Responsible 
Party), 3820 Cypress Drive,  11 Petaluma, CA 94954 has applied 
in due form for a permit for scientific research on pinnipeds in 
California.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments on the new applications, 
amendment requests must be received on or before December 6, 2006.

ADDRESSES: The applications 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.
    Written comments or requests for a public hearing on these 
applications 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 relevant document identifier: 
File No. 373-1868.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Sloan or Dr. Tammy Adams, 
(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 PRBO proposes to study and monitor population trends, health, 
and ecology of pinnipeds in California, specifically at the Farallon 
Islands, Point Reyes Peninsula, Ano Nuevo Island, San Francisco Bay, 
and in Sonoma County near the Russian River. Harbor seals (Phoca 
vitulina richardii) and northern elephant seals (Mirounga 
angustirostris) are the primary species of study; researchers will also 
remotely survey California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), Steller 
sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus), and northern fur seals (Callorhinus 
ursinus) and their responses to changes in the environment. By 
monitoring these species, managers will be alerted to changes in the 
condition of pinniped populations and of the coastal marine ecosystems 
of central California. Research and monitoring activities will include 
(1) capture and handling of harbor seals and northern elephant seals in 
order to dye-mark, attach flipper tags and scientific instruments, and 
collect tissue samples, (2) surveys and photo-documentation of all 
species in order to quantify numbers by sex and age class annually and 
seasonally, and (3) incidental Level B disturbances related to research 
activities. An estimated

[[Page 64944]]

maximum of 300 harbor seals and 3,050 elephant seals will be captured 
or handled per year over a five year period, and an estimated 300 
elephant seals, 5,150 harbor seals, 600 California sea lions, and five 
northern fur seals will be incidentally disturbed during pinniped 
research operations.
    Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal 
Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of these applications to the Marine 
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.

    Dated: October 31, 2006.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E6-18683 Filed 11-3-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S