[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 145 (Wednesday, July 29, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45196-45197]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-18549]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE041


Marine Mammals; File No. 19091

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 the NMFS Southwest Fisheries 
Science Center (SWFSC), 8901 La Jolla Shore Dr., La Jolla, CA 92037, 
[Responsible Party: Lisa Ballance, Ph.D.], has applied in due form for 
a permit to conduct research on five species of pinnipeds, over 50 
species of cetaceans, and five species of sea turtles.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before August 28, 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. 19091 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 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 Hapeman 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.), 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 parts 222-226), and the Fur 
Seal Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).
    The SWFSC proposes to conduct research on over 55 species of marine 
mammals and five species of sea turtles in all oceans of the world, 
with special focus on the eastern Pacific Ocean. This includes research 
on ESA listed species: North Atlantic right (Eubalaena glacialis), 
North Pacific right (E. japonica), Southern right (E. australis), 
bowhead (Balaena mysticetus), sei (Balaenoptera borealis), Southern 
resident killer (Orcinus orca), humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), fin 
(Balaenoptera physalus), sperm (Physeter macrocephalus), and blue 
(Balaenoptera musculus) whales; Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus); 
and green (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), 
leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), loggerhead (Caretta caretta), and 
olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) sea turtles. The purpose of this 
research is to determine the abundance, distribution, movement 
patterns, dive behavior, demography and stock structure, and to monitor 
trends in recruitment of pinnipeds,

[[Page 45197]]

cetaceans, and sea turtles in U.S. territorial and international waters 
as mandated by the MMPA and ESA. These studies are conducted through 
ground, vessel, and aerial surveys for observation, photogrammetry, 
photo-identification, biological sample collection, and tagging 
animals. Researchers also may salvage and import/export specimens and 
biological samples of these species.
    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. 2015-18549 Filed 7-28-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P