[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 18 (Thursday, January 27, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4867-4868]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-1789]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA172


Marine Mammals; File No. 15453

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Waikiki Aquarium, 2777 
Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815 (Dr. Andrew Rossiter, Responsible 
Party), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on and 
enhancement of captive Hawaiian monk seals.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mailed comments must be received on or 
before February 28, 2011.

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. 15453 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

[[Page 4868]]

    Pacific Islands Region, NMFS, 1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Rm 1110, 
Honolulu, HI 96814-4700; phone (808) 944-2200; fax (808) 973-2941.
    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 e-mail to [email protected]. Please include the 
File No. in the subject line of the e-mail 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 Jennifer Skidmore, (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.), the regulations governing the taking and 
importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216), the Endangered Species 
Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and the regulations 
governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and 
threatened species (50 CFR 222-226).
    The Waikiki Aquarium is requesting a 5-year permit to continue to 
maintain in captivity two male non-releasable Hawaiian monk seals for 
research and enhancement purposes. Research proposed includes 
continuation of a long-term study on the digestive efficiency of the 
captive seals as they age using voluntary behaviors to collect bi-
monthly weights and blubber ultrasound measurements. Seals would also 
be fed chromic oxide up to 72 times per year and marked, voided feces 
would be collected for determination of digestive efficiency. A second 
study proposed includes post-vaccination antibody response trials. West 
Nile virus (WNV) and canine distemper viruses (CDV) are considered a 
potential threat for the wild Hawaiian monk seal population. Each seal 
would be vaccinated twice for CDV and WNV, and to assess the 
effectiveness of the vaccines, blood and nasal swabs would be taken 
four times over the period of one year for antibody detection. The 
seals would be displayed to the public incidental to the research 
program, and the Waikiki Aquarium provides daily public narrations and 
informative educational graphics about the Hawaiian monk seal.
    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 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: January 24, 2011.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-1789 Filed 1-24-11; 4:15 pm]
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