[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 148 (Tuesday, August 2, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46279-46280]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-19567]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XS41


Marine Mammals; File No. 87-1851

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.

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

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Daniel P. Costa, PhD, University 
of California at Santa Cruz, Long Marine Laboratory, 100 Shaffer Road, 
Santa Cruz, CA, has applied for an amendment to Scientific Research 
Permit No. 87-1851-03.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or 
before September 1, 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. 87-1851 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) 427-8401; fax (301) 713-0376; 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. 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 Tammy Adams, (301) 427-
8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit amendment 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).
    Permit No. 87-1851-03, issued on September 3, 2010 (75 FR 55745), 
authorizes tagging studies and physiological research on seals in 
Antarctica (in the Western Antarctic Peninsula, Weddell Sea, and Ross 
Sea),

[[Page 46280]]

including 40 Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii), 35 crabeater 
seals (Lobodon carcinophagus), 35 southern elephant seals (Mirounga 
leonina), 10 leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx), and 5 Ross seals 
(Ommatophoca rossii). Incidental harassment, mortality, and import of 
samples from these species is authorized. The permit also authorizes 
research on California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) to 
investigate foraging, diving, energetics, food habits, and at-sea 
distribution along the California coast. Incidental harassment of 
California sea lions, harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), northern elephant 
seals (Mirounga augustirostris), and northern fur seals (Callorhinus 
ursinus) in California is authorized. Unintentional mortality and 
import of samples from California sea lions is authorized. The permit 
expires on January 31, 2012.
    The permit holder is requesting the permit be amended to extend the 
permit expiration to December 31, 2012 in order to complete a study 
initiated in January 2010 examining the foraging behavior and habitat 
use of the Weddell seal in the Ross Sea. The applicant is requesting 
authorization to capture and handle up to 70 Weddell seals of any age/
sex during 2012 using the same methods currently permitted, and 
requests authorization for up to four unintentional mortalities due to 
research conducted in 2012. No other changes to the permit are 
requested.
    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: July 27, 2011.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-19567 Filed 8-1-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P