[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 172 (Wednesday, September 5, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 54567]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-21851]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA963


Marine Mammals; File No. 15142

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 
Colleen Reichmuth, Ph.D., University of California at Santa Cruz, Long 
Marine Laboratory, 100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, CA, to take pinnipeds 
for scientific research purposes.

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
Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668; phone (907) 
586-7221; fax (907) 586-7249.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 31, 2012, notice was published in 
the Federal Register (77 FR 4765) that a request for a permit to take 
pinnipeds 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 holder is authorized over a five-year period to collect 
from the wild up to two bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus) in the 
Northwest Arctic Borough of Alaska for a long-term behavioral study at 
Long Marine Laboratory in Santa Cruz, CA. Up to four bearded seals may 
be captured and temporarily held in order to evaluate their suitability 
for participation in research. Captured seals deemed unsuitable for the 
long-term study will be released at the capture site. Incidental 
harassment of up to one ringed seal (Phoca hispida) and one spotted 
seal (Phoca larga), and mortality of two bearded seals is authorized 
for the duration of the permit. After a quarantine period, the seals 
will be transferred to NMFS Permit No. 14535-01 (75 FR 58352) for 
research on the amphibious hearing capabilities of bearded seals to 
improve the understanding of the potential effects of expected 
increases in anthropogenic activities in polar habitats.
    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: August 28, 2012.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-21851 Filed 9-4-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P