[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 180 (Tuesday, September 17, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 57133]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-22537]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XW11


Marine Mammals; File No. 14514

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for permit amendment.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the University of Florida, Aquatic 
Animal Program, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610 
(Ruth Francis-Floyd, Responsible Party), has requested an amendment to 
Permit No. 14514 to receive, import, and export marine mammal specimens 
for scientific research.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before October 17, 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. 14514 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
Southeast Region, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, FL 
33701; phone (727)824-5312; fax (727)824-5309.

    Written comments on these applications 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 Jennifer Skidmore, 
(301)427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment 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.), the 
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of 
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR 222-226), and the Fur Seal 
Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).
    Permit No. 14514, issued on July 28, 2010 (75 FR 50748), authorizes 
the University of Florida to receive, import, and export marine mammal 
parts under NMFS jurisdiction for research on disease including viral 
pathogens and brevetoxin studies; development of a marine mammal 
histology database and atlas and marine mammal cell lines; and 
comparative morphology studies. The permit authorizes receipt, import, 
and export of marine mammal parts (hard and soft parts) from up to 200 
animals per year within the order Cetacea (dolphins, porpoises and 
whales) and 100 animals per year within the order Pinnipedia (sea lions 
and seals but excluding walruses). The permit expires July 31, 2015. 
The permit holder is requesting the permit be amended to increase the 
number of animals from which pinniped samples may be received, 
imported, or exported from 100 to 700 animals per year for additional 
studies on viral pathogens (adenovirus and herpesvirus). The permit 
holder also requests personnel changes.
    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 activities proposed are categorically excluded from the requirement 
to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact 
statement.

    Dated: September 12, 2013.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-22537 Filed 9-16-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P