[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 49 (Monday, March 14, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13603-13604]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-5838]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA292


Marine Mammals; File No. 16087

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 NMFS National Marine Mammal 
Laboratory, Seattle, WA, has applied in due form for a permit to 
conduct research on marine mammals.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or 
before April 13, 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. 16087 from the list of available applications.
    These documents are also available upon written request or by 
appointment in the following offices:
    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) 13-0376;
    Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, BIN C15700, Bldg. 
1, Seattle, WA 98115-0700; phone (206) 526-6150; fax (206) 526-6426; 
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 on this application should be submitted to the 
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, at the address 
listed above.

[[Page 13604]]

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: Tammy Adams or Amy Sloan, (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.), and the regulations governing the 
taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    The applicant requests a five-year permit to take marine mammals in 
California, Oregon, and Washington to investigate population status, 
health, demographic parameters, life history and foraging ecology of 
California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), Pacific harbor seals 
(Phoca vitulina), and northern elephant seals (Mirounga 
angustrirostris). Procedures include: Capture (stalking, round up, hoop 
net, darting, floating trap); administer drug (IM, subcutaneously); 
anesthesia (gas, sedatives); euthanasia; attach scientific instruments; 
mark (clip hair, flipper tag, hot brand, paint, patch); measure; 
restrain (board, cage, hand, head bag, net, pen); collect tissue sample 
(blood, blubber, enema, fecal loop, hair, stomach lavage, milk, remote 
biopsy, skin, swab, urine, vibrissae); ultrasound; and weigh. Up to 
509,475 California sea lions may be taken annually, including 3,315 by 
capture and handle, 100 by harassment and tissue sampling and 506,060 
by incidental disturbance. Up to 100 moribund and 40 prematurely born 
California sea lion pups may be euthanized for health studies over the 
duration of the permit. Up to 1,185 harbor seals may be taken annually, 
including 50 by capture and handling, and 1,135 by incidental 
disturbance. Up to 2,766 northern elephant seals may be taken annually, 
including 50 by capture and handling, and 2,716 by incidental 
disturbance. The applicant requests unintentional research-related 
mortality of up to 49 California sea lions, 4 harbor seals, and 4 
northern elephant seals. Up to 4,500 northern fur seals (Callorhinus 
ursinus) may be incidentally disturbed annually at San Miguel Island, 
CA during research activities.
    As established under the Preferred Alternative in the Final 
Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for Steller Sea Lion 
and Northern Fur Seal Research (NMFS 2007), NMFS proposes to authorize 
annual cumulative research-related mortality (under this permit in 
combination with any others for research on Steller sea lions 
(Eumetopias jubatus) or northern fur seals) of up to 15 percent of the 
Potential Biological Removal levels for each stock. These annual 
allowances would include observed and unobserved mortalities, and be 
calculated based on the nature of the research. The number of research-
related mortalities of northern fur seals allowed for this permit may 
be higher or lower than those requested by the applicant, based on NMFS 
calculations using the methods outlined in the PEIS.
    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: March 9, 2011.
Tammy C. Adams,
Acting Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-5838 Filed 3-11-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P