[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 161 (Tuesday, August 20, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51146-51147]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-20231]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XC766


Marine Mammals; File No. 17429

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 Sea Life Park Hawaii, 41-202 
Kalanianaole Highway Waimanalo, HI 96795 (Jerry Pupillo, Responsible 
Party), has applied in due form for a permit to maintain non-releasable 
Hawaiian monk seals (Monachus schauinslandi) in captivity for 
enhancement purposes.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before September 19, 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. 17429 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
Pacific Islands Region, NMFS, 1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Room 1110, 
Honolulu, HI 96814-4700; phone (808) 944-2200; fax (808) 973-2941.

    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. 17429 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 Jennifer Skidmore, (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.), 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 222-226).
    Sea Life Park Hawaii proposes to continue to maintain and provide 
routine animal husbandry and veterinary care for one non-releasable 
adult Hawaiian monk seal and up to an additional three seals (four 
total, considering future non-releasable seals) at the monk seal 
exhibit at Sea Life Park Hawaii in Waimanalo, Hawaii. Sea Life Park 
would maintain in permanent captivity seals removed from the wild under 
separate permits for stranding response and enhancement, which are 
deemed non-releasable to the wild.
    The animals will be made available for scientific studies by 
researchers whose research protocols are approved by the Sea Life Park 
Hawaii Curator and staff veterinarian and authorized under separate 
permits. A public conservation and education lecture will be conducted 
daily concerning the status of Hawaiian monk seals, and educational 
descriptive signs with current information are on display at the monk 
seal exhibit. The applicant requests a five-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

[[Page 51147]]

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: August 15, 2013.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-20231 Filed 8-19-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P