[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 219 (Monday, November 14, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 70418]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-29308]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA817


Marine Mammals; File No. 16124

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 Sea World, Inc., Sea World, Inc., 
9205 South Park Center Loop, Suite 400, Orlando, FL 32819 (Brad 
Andrews, Responsible Party), has applied in due form for a permit to 
conduct research on and enhancement of Hawaiian monk seals (Monachus 
schauinslandi) in permanent captivity.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before December 14, 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. 16124 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;
    Pacific Islands Region, NMFS, 1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Room 1110, 
Honolulu, HI 96814-4700; phone (808) 944-2200; fax (808) 973-2941; 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 File No. 
16124 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 Jennifer Skidmore, (301) 
427-8401.

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.), and the 
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of 
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226).
    The applicant proposes to continue long-term holding of six adult 
female monk seals that were deemed non-releasable in 1997 due to an eye 
disease of unknown etiology; release of the seals would have presented 
a risk to the health of wild monk seals. The objectives of this request 
are to allow captive maintenance of the seals at Sea World, San 
Antonio, TX, to enhance survival of the species and conduct scientific 
research. In addition to the continued captive maintenance of the seals 
to prevent disease risk to the wild population, the applicant requests 
authorization to allow continued public awareness through education and 
public observation of the seals. Research proposed includes vaccination 
trials involving administration of two vaccines and up to four blood 
samples and four nasal swabs per seal per year. Non-intrusive research 
concurrent with husbandry and medical procedures is also proposed. The 
permit is requested for a 5-year period.
    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: November 7, 2011.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-29308 Filed 11-10-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P