[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 101 (Wednesday, May 27, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 30212]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-12745]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD953


Marine Mammals; File No. 19108

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 Daniel P. Costa, Ph.D., University 
of California at Santa Cruz, Long Marine Laboratory, 100 Shaffer Road, 
Santa Cruz, CA 95064, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct 
research on northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) 
throughout their range.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before June 26, 2015.

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. 19108 from the list of available applications.
    These documents are also available upon written request or by 
appointment in the 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.
    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. 19108 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 Brendan Hurley, (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 authorization to continue a long-term 
research program started in 1968 to study northern elephant seal 
population growth and status, reproductive strategies, behavioral and 
physiological adaptations for diving and fasting, general physiology 
and metabolism, and sensory physiology. Research methods include 
behavioral observations, marking, flipper tagging, capture and 
sampling, attachment of instrumentation for tracking, translocation 
studies, short-term captive holding for laboratory studies, use of 
hormone challenges and standard clinical tracer techniques for 
physiology studies, and acoustic studies. Research would include all 
age and sex classes of northern elephant seals over the entire calendar 
year. Proposed research locations include haul-out sites from 
California to Washington, but primarily A[ntilde]o Nuevo. Incidental 
harassment and mortalities of northern elephant seals, and incidental 
harassment of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), northern 
fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus), and Steller sea lions (Eumetopias 
jubatus) of the Eastern Distinct Population Segment is requested. The 
duration of the requested 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 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: May 19, 2015.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-12745 Filed 5-26-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P