[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 229 (Wednesday, November 27, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70920-70921]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-28437]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD002


Marine Mammals; File No. 18182

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 Marilyn Mazzoil, Harbor Branch 
Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University, 5600 US 1 
North, Fort Pierce, Florida 34946, has applied in due form for a permit 
to conduct scientific research on bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops 
truncatus).

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before December 27, 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. 18182 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 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 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: Carrie Hubard or Amy Hapeman, 
(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 permit to study bottlenose dolphins along 
the east coast of Florida, from Fernandina Beach to Jupiter. Dolphins 
would be photo-identified and biopsy sampled to study and determine: 
(1) Abundance estimation; (2) occurrence and distribution; (3) 
behavioral information; and (4) population structure and life history 
parameters. Vessel surveys would be conducted year-round. Annually, the 
applicant expects to encounter 10,000 animals from the Indian River 
Lagoon Estuarine System (IRLES) stock, 4000 from the Jacksonville 
Estuarine System (JES) stock, 12,000 from the Western North Atlantic 
Central Florida Coastal (WNACFC) stock, and 6000 from the Western North 
Atlantic Northern Florida Coastal (WNANFC) stock. Individual animals 
would likely be observed and photographed multiple times per year. A 
maximum of 350 biopsy samples could be collected annually (100 IRLES, 
50 JES, 100 WNACFC, 100 WNANFC). Up to 20 animals from the IRLES stock 
may be sampled twice in the same year to examine seasonal changes in 
contaminant loads. Animals determined to be less than two years of age 
would not be sampled. The permit would be valid for five years.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial

[[Page 70921]]

determination has been made that the activity proposed is 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: November 22, 2013.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-28437 Filed 11-26-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P