[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 144 (Tuesday, July 28, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44938-44939]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-18453]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE022


Marine Mammals; File No. 19590

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 Terrie Williams, Ph.D., University 
of California at Santa Cruz, Long Marine Lab, Center for Ocean Health, 
100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, has applied in due form for a 
permit to conduct research on captive marine mammals.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before August 27, 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. 19590 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. 19590 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: Jennifer Skidmore or Amy Sloan, (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 is requesting a permit to continue activities 
authorized under Permit No. 13602. This research compares the energetic 
and cardiovascular responses and diving physiology of odontocetes and 
pinnipeds to determine key physiological factors. Captive bottlenose 
dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and temporarily held non-releasable 
Hawaiian monk seals (Neomonachus schauinslandi) at Long Marine Lab will 
be used as model species due to availability, trainability, and a 
foundation of data from previous studies by the applicant. Additional 
captive marine mammal species (up to 132 animals representing 8 species 
over 6 years, listed in the application) will be added through 
cooperative agreements with accredited zoological institutions in the 
U.S. Other species and subjects from rehabilitation and stranding 
programs in the U.S. may be added opportunistically. This research on 
captive animals will provide data for understanding the impact of 
changing environmental demands on wild marine mammals. Two approaches 
are used, (1) basic physiological evaluation (caloric intake, 
metabolism, heart rate, stroke rate, aerobic dive capacity, thermal 
capacity) measured seasonally on mature and immature dolphins, and (2) 
comparative evaluation of identical parameters for other species 
representing different marine mammal evolutionary lineages. Research 
methods include training marine mammals for voluntary participation to 
the maximum extent feasible to (1) assess body condition and 
morphometrics, (2) measure metabolic rate (stationing under a metabolic 
hood), (3) sample blood (for blood gases and lactate concentration) and 
administer Evan's blue dye and deuterium oxide (determination of oxygen 
stores, (4) attach instruments (e.g., ECG monitors to measure heart 
rate), (5) monitor heat flow and skin temperature with a handheld 
surface probe, and (6) measure body temperature via a flexible

[[Page 44939]]

rectal probe or an ingested stomach temperature pill. The permit is 
requested for the maximum duration of 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: July 23, 2015.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-18453 Filed 7-27-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P