[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 112 (Monday, June 11, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 34352]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-14133]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XB139


Marine Mammals; File No. 17178

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 
Virginia Institute of Marine Science [Responsible Party: Elizabeth 
Canuel, Ph.D.], P.O. Box 1346, Route 1208 Greate Road, Gloucester 
Point, VA 23062 to import marine mammal parts for scientific research.

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;
    Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long 
Beach, CA 90802-4213; phone (562)980-4001; fax (562)980-4018; and
    Southeast Region, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, 
Florida 33701; phone (727)824-5312; fax (727)824-5309.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 02, 2012 notice was published in 
the Federal Register (77 FR 19646) that a request for a permit to 
import marine mammal parts for scientific research had been submitted 
by the above-named applicant. 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.), and the regulations governing the 
taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    The permit authorizes the import of fur, blood, and fat biopsies 
from up to 300 crabeater seals (Lobodon carcinophaga), 200 Weddell 
seals (Leptonychotes weddellii), 50 Ross seals (Ommatophoca Rossii), 
and 25 leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx). No takes of live animals are 
authorized. The permit will expire June 01, 2017.
    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.

    Dated: June 5, 2012.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-14133 Filed 6-8-12; 8:45 am]
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