[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 46 (Friday, March 8, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14984-14985]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-05438]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XC541


Marine Mammals; File No. 17411

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 Dr. Jennifer Burns, University of 
Alaska Anchorage, Biology Department, Anchorage, AK, has applied in due 
form for a permit to conduct research on marine mammals in Antarctica.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before April 8, 2013.

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. 17411 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 File No. 17411 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: Tammy Adams or Amy Sloan, (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).
    The applicant requests a five-year permit to study three questions: 
(1) What intrinsic or extrinsic factors determine molt phenology in 
Weddell seals?; (2) How does late season condition and molt status 
influence current pregnancy and future parturition rates?; and (3) To 
what extent might changes in food availability during the austral 
summer impact molt timing and future reproductive success? To achieve 
project goals, 24 adult female Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) 
of known-age and known-reproductive history in the Erebus Bay, 
Antarctica region will be captured annually for health assessments 
during reproductive and molt periods each year, to include blood 
samples, muscle/blubber/skin biopsies, morphometric measurements, and 
attachment of VHF/TDR/GPS tags. The Weddell seal population will be 
surveyed for molt status and demographic models: up to 1800 animals of 
both sexes and any age may be harassed annually during multiple 
surveys. Up to 10 crabeater seals (Lobodon carcinophagus) may be 
harassed annually during surveys. The applicant also requests 
unintentional mortality for up to 3 adult female Weddell seals 
annually, and euthanasia of 1 Weddell seal pup per year.
    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

[[Page 14985]]

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: March 5, 2013.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-05438 Filed 3-7-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P