[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 183 (Friday, September 21, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 54001]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-18593]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XC72


Marine Mammals; File No. 881-1758

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for amendment.

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SUMMARY:  Notice is hereby given that Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC), 301 
Railway Avenue, Seward, AK 99664 (Tylan Schrock, Responsible Party) has 
requested an amendment to scientific research Permit No. 881-1758.

DATES:  Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or 
before October 22, 2007.

ADDRESSES:  The amendment request 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
    Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668; phone 
(907)586-7221; fax (907)586-7249.
    Written comments or requests for a public hearing on this request 
should be submitted 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 amendment 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. 881-1758.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 881-
1745, issued on May 10, 2005 (70 FR28910), 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).
    Permit No. 881-1758 authorizes the permit holder to study growth, 
development, and health of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) in the ASLC 
Rehabilitation Program. In addition to conducting standard 
rehabilitation practices, researchers collect blood, fecal, and urine 
samples; collect body composition measurements using bioelectrical 
impedance and deuterium oxide, sodium bromide, Evan's blue dye, and 
nitrogen administration followed by post-administration blood samples; 
conduct assimilation efficiency experiments to study metabolic 
development; and collect blubber biopsies to study fatty acid 
composition and contaminant loads. The permit expires on May 31, 2010.
    The permit holder requests authorization to add ringed (Phoca 
hispida), spotted (Phoca largha), ribbon (Phoca fasciata), and bearded 
(Erignathus barbatus) seals undergoing rehabilitation at the ASLC to 
the permit for the same studies currently permitted on harbor seals. Up 
to 25 individuals of each species requested may have the above 
procedures performed through the duration of the permit. The applicant 
also proposes changes to protocols including removing bioelectrical 
impedance measurements and adding blubber ultrasound measurements for 
body condition assessment; and adding resting metabolic measurements to 
aid in the understanding of metabolic changes associated with health, 
growth, and dietary transitions.
    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: September 14, 2007
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E7-18593 Filed 9-20-07; 8:45 am]
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