[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 92 (Friday, May 11, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 27718]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-11523]


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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; issuance of permit.

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

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

Permits and Conservation 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
Pacific Islands Region, NMFS, 1601 Kapiolani Boulevard, Room 1110, 
Honolulu, HI 96814-4700; phone (808) 944-2200; fax (808) 973-2941.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Sloan or Jennifer Skidmore, 
(301)427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 27, 2011, notice was published in 
the Federal Register (76 FR 4867) that a request for a permit to 
conduct research on and enhancement of the species identified above had 
been submitted by the above-named applicant. On May 24, 2011, notice 
was published in the Federal Register (76 FR 30109) that a request to 
amend the application had been submitted by the applicant to increase 
the number of seals to be maintained under the proposed permit (from 
two to three seals). 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 
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226).
    Permit No. 15453 authorizes the Waikiki Aquarium to maintain in 
captivity up to three non-releasable Hawaiian monk seals for research 
and enhancement purposes. Research includes (1) a long-term study on 
the digestive efficiency of captive seals; and (2) a post-vaccination 
antibody response study using West Nile virus and canine distemper 
virus vaccinations. The seals will be displayed to the public 
incidental to the research program, and the Waikiki Aquarium provides 
daily public narrations and educational graphics about the Hawaiian 
monk seal. The permit is valid for five years from the date of 
issuance.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), a final determination has been made that the 
activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to 
prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.
    As required by the ESA, issuance of this permit 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.

     Dated: April 30, 2012.
Tammy C. Adams,
Acting Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-11523 Filed 5-10-12; 8:45 am]
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