[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 84 (Monday, May 3, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23241-23242]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-10259]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XW11


Marine Mammals; File No. 14514

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

ACTION:  Notice; receipt of application.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY:  Notice is hereby given that the University of Florida, 
Aquatic Animal Program, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, FL 
32610 (Ruth Francis-Floyd, Responsible Party) has applied in due form 
for a permit to receive, import and export marine mammal specimens for 
scientific research.

DATES:  Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or 
before June 2, 2010.

ADDRESSES:  The application and related documents are available for 
review by selecting ``Records Open for Public Comment'' from the 
Features box on the Applications and Permits for Protected Species 
(APPS) home page, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File 
No. 14514 from the list of available applications.
    These documents are also available 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) 713-0376; and
    Southeast Region, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, 
Florida 33701; phone (727) 824-5312; fax (727) 824-5309.
    Written comments on this application should be submitted to the 
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, at the address 
listed above. Comments may also be submitted by facsimile to (301) 713-
0376, or by email to [email protected]. Please include the File 
No. in the subject line of the email comment.
    Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a 
written request to the Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education 
Division at the address listed above. The request should set forth the 
specific reasons why a hearing on this application would be 
appropriate.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is requested under the 
authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended 
(MMPA; 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.), the 
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of 
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR 222-226), and the Fur Seal 
Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).
    The objectives of this research are to study various aspects of 
disease afflicting marine mammals including viral pathogens and 
brevetoxin studies; develop a marine mammal histology database and 
atlas, marine mammal cell lines; and conduct comparative morphology. 
Marine mammal parts would be obtained from the following sources: 
samples collected as part of routine husbandry procedures using captive 
stocks; other permitted academic, federal, and state institutions 
involved in marine mammal research; in conjunction with legal 
subsistence harvests; from marine mammals caught incidental to 
fisheries; or from animals in foreign countries following the host 
countries legal operations. The samples would then be received or 
imported to the investigators. Samples may be exported for research or 
archiving. Marine mammal parts (hard and soft parts) would not exceed 
200 animals per year from animals within the order Cetacea (dolphins, 
porpoises and whales) and 100 animals per year from animals within the 
order Pinnipedia (sea lions and seals but excluding walruses), with 
unlimited sampling from each animal to maximize use. There would not be 
incidental take or take of live animals. The requested permit period is 
five years.
    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

[[Page 23242]]

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 the application to the Marine 
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.

    Dated: April 26, 2010.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-10259 Filed 4-30-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S