[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 134 (Thursday, July 12, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41171-41172]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-17036]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XC100


Marine Mammals; File No. 17115

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 James Lloyd-Smith, Department of 
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los 
Angeles, 610 Charles E. Young Dr. South, Box 723905, Los Angeles, 
California 90095-7239, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct 
research on California sea lions (Zalophus californianus).

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before August 13, 2012.

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. 17115 from the list of available applications.
    These documents are also available 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
    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 and Conservation 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 the File No. in the 
subject line of the email comment.
    Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a 
written request to the Chief, Permits and Conservation 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 Joselyd Garcia-Reyes, 
(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.), and the regulations governing the 
taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    To better understand the dynamics of leptospirosis in the 
California sea lions, the applicant requests a scientific research 
permit to investigate exposure to and shedding of leptospirosis in this 
species, with the long-term goal of understanding the mechanisms 
underlying recurrent and deadly epizootics of leptospirosis in 
California sea lions. By analyzing data collected from wild caught, 
free-ranging sea lions and comparing it to data from stranded sea 
lions, the applicant aims to establish how seroprevalence and incidence 
data gathered from stranded animals can be scaled up to reflect the 
patterns occurring in the entire wild population of sea lions. Up to 
5,100 California sea lions may be taken annually from A[ntilde]o Nuevo 
Island including 20 by capture and release, 80 by capture/sample/
release and 5,000 by incidental disturbance. Procedures include: 
Capture (stalking, hoop net); restraint (board, cage, hand, net); 
anesthesia (gas); mark (flipper tag); measure; and sample (blood, 
urine, vibrissae). Up to 3,000 northern elephant seals (Mirounga 
angustirostris) and up to 60 Pacific harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) may 
be taken annually due to incidental disturbance. In addition, up to 
four

[[Page 41172]]

California sea lions may be taken by unintentional mortality during the 
requested 5-year permit.
    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 6, 2012.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-17036 Filed 7-11-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P