[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 167 (Friday, August 28, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52255-52256]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-21393]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE129


Marine Mammals; File No. 19439

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 pinnipeds in Antarctica.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before September 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. 19439 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. 19439 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 purpose of this research is to understand the foraging ecology,

[[Page 52256]]

physiology, habitat use, and diving behavior of Southern Ocean 
pinnipeds and the factors that affect and constrain their foraging and 
at-sea behaviors and how these ecological and physiological factors (1) 
vary in space and time, (2) influence and constrain the behavior of 
these species, (3) are impacted by environmental change, and (4) 
compare with other marine mammal species. To accomplish these 
objectives, the applicant proposes to capture and sample leopard 
(Hydrurga leptonyx), crabeater (Lobodon carcinophaga), southern 
elephant (Mirounga leonina), Ross (Ommatophoca rossii), Weddell 
(Leptonychotes weddellii), and Antarctic fur (Arctocephalus gazella) 
seals throughout their range for five years. Researchers may capture up 
to 40 animals per species per year at sites throughout their range to 
collect tissue samples, morphometrics, and metabolic and physiological 
measurements, apply identifying marks, and attach instruments; as well 
as an additional 50 pups of each species for marking, morphometrics, 
and minimal sample collection. An additional 100 each of crabeater 
seals, leopard seals, and Ross seals, 500 southern elephant seals, and 
1000 each of Weddell seals and Antarctic fur seals may be taken 
annually via Level B harassment by incidental disturbance during 
captures, opportunistic sample collection, and resights. Unintentional 
mortality or serious injury of up to four animals per species annually 
not to exceed ten animals per species over five years is requested. 
Blood and tissue samples would be imported from the Southern Ocean and 
Antarctica to the United States and exported world-wide for analyses.
    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: August 25, 2015.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-21393 Filed 8-27-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P