[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 214 (Tuesday, November 5, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66336-66337]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-26466]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XC956


Marine Mammals; File No. 17030

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 C. Scott Baker, Ph.D., Oregon 
State University, Marine Mammal Institute, Hatfield Marine Science 
Center, 2030 SE

[[Page 66337]]

Marine Science Drive, Newport, OR 97365, has applied in due form for a 
permit to receive, import, and export marine mammals specimens for 
scientific research.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before December 5, 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. 17030 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 Northwest Region, NMFS, 
7600 Sand Point Way NE., BIN C15700, Bldg. 1, Seattle, WA 98115-0700; 
phone (206) 526-6150; fax (206) 526-6426.
    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 File No. 17030 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.), 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.).
    The applicant requests a permit to import, export and archive 
marine mammal parts (including DNA) collected legally from any species 
of cetaceans and pinnipeds, except walrus, for the purposes of 
scientific research. The proposed import, export and possession of 
samples is intended to result in an improved understanding of the 
taxonomy, genetic diversity, population structure, abundance and 
individual movement of cetaceans and pinnipeds. The anticipated source 
of samples includes hard and soft tissue from the following: museum 
collections; non-invasive sampling and biopsy sampling in the wild 
under separate permits; beachcast or dead-stranded specimens; 
individuals taken incidentally in fisheries (bycatch), including 
products legally sold in wildlife and fisheries markets. Possession, 
import, and export of samples are opportunistic and no takes of live 
animals is requested under this permit. Import and export are requested 
to include all countries with an appropriate management authority 
(e.g., Parties of the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species). The 
requested period of the permit is five years.
    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.
    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: October 31, 2013.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-26466 Filed 11-4-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P