[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 134 (Wednesday, July 14, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40776-40777]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-17164]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XX47


Marine Mammals; File No. 14097

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 National Marine Fisheries 
Service, Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC) (Jeremy Rusin, 
Principal Investigator), Protected Resources Division, 3333 N. Torrey 
Pines Ct., La Jolla, CA 92037, has been issued a permit to conduct 
scientific research on five pinniped species, 57 cetacean species, and 
five sea turtle species in the Pacific, Southern, Indian, and Arctic 
Oceans.

ADDRESSES:  The permit and related documents are available for review 
upon written request or by appointment in the following offices: See 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kristy Beard or Amy Hapeman, (301) 
713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 27, 2009, notice was published in 
the Federal Register (74 FR 37015) that a request for a permit to 
conduct scientific research on five pinniped species, 57 cetacean 
species, and five sea turtle species in the Pacific, Southern, Indian, 
and Arctic Oceans had been submitted by the above-named applicant. 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.), 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

[[Page 40777]]

endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226).
    The permit authorizes three projects. Under Project I (Pinnipeds) 
population assessments will be conducted of northern elephant seals 
(Mirounga angustirostris), California sea lions (Zalophus 
californianus), Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus), and harbor 
seals (Phoca vitulina) via aerial photography, ground or vessel 
surveys, and photogrammetry to determine abundance, distribution 
patterns, length frequencies, and breeding densities. Scats and 
spewings will be collected from California sea lions to determine their 
diet. Under Project II (Cetaceans) surveys will be conducted to 
determine the abundance, distribution, movement patterns, and stock 
structure of cetaceans in U.S. territorial and international waters. 
These studies will be conducted through vessel surveys, aerial surveys, 
small plane photogrammetry, photo-identification (from vessels and 
small boats), biological sampling, radio tagging, and satellite 
tagging. Under Project III (Sea Turtles) surveys will be conducted to 
determine the abundance, distribution, movement patterns, stock 
structure, and diet of sea turtles in U.S. territorial and 
international waters. Sea turtles will be opportunistically captured 
during Project II surveys for collection of blood samples, stomach 
contents, and tissue biopsy and to attach satellite tags. Cetacean, 
pinniped, and sea turtle parts, specimens, and biological samples 
collected during these projects will also be salvaged and imported/
exported.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an environmental assessment (EA) was prepared 
analyzing the effects of the permitted activities on the human 
environment. Based on the analyses in the EA, NMFS determined that 
issuance of the permit would not significantly impact the quality of 
the human environment and that preparation of an environmental impact 
statement was not required. That determination is documented in a 
Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), signed on July 1, 2010.
    Issuance of this permit, as required by the ESA, was based on a 
finding that such permit: (1) was applied for in good faith; (2) will 
not operate to the disadvantage of such endangered species; and (3) is 
consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the 
ESA.
    Documents may be reviewed in the following locations:
    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;
    Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, BIN C15700, Bldg. 
1, Seattle, WA 98115-0700; phone (206) 526-6150; fax (206) 526-6426;
    Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668; phone 
(907) 586-7221; fax (907) 586-7249;
    Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long 
Beach, CA 90802-4213; phone (562) 980-4001; fax (562) 980-4018; and
    Pacific Islands Region, NMFS, 1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Rm 1110, 
Honolulu, HI 96814-4700; phone (808) 944-2200; fax (808) 973-2941.

    Dated: July 7, 2010.
Tammy C. Adams,
Acting Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-17164 Filed 7-13-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S