[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 168 (Monday, August 31, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52452-52453]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-21392]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD856


Marine Mammals; File No. 18902

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 Colleen Reichmuth, Ph.D., Long 
Marine Laboratory, University of California at Santa Cruz, 100 Shaffer 
Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, has applied in due form for a permit to 
conduct research on pinnipeds in captivity.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before September 30, 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. 18902 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. 18902 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 Courtney Smith, (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 proposes to conduct comparative psychological and 
physiological studies with captive California sea lions (Zalophus 
californianus), harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), spotted seals (Phoca 
largha), ringed seals (Pusa hispida), and bearded seals (Erignathus 
barbatus) at Long Marine Laboratory (Santa Cruz, CA) and the Alaska 
SeaLife Center (Seward, AK). Up to four individuals per species may be 
studied at both facilities combined over the duration of the permit. 
Animals may participate in daily activities using behaviors established 
through operant conditioning and may refuse participation in an 
activity at any time. For psychological assessments, pinnipeds are 
trained to voluntarily participate in the research on land and in 
water. Controlled sensory cues are used to evaluate sensory and 
cognitive performance with an emphasis on the auditory sense to address 
conservation issues related to ocean noise. Electrophysiological 
methods may be used to monitor passive neuronal responses during 
exposure to similar sounds. Behavioral experiments will test hearing 
sensitivity in the presence or following the cessation of noise to 
determine how exposure to anthropogenic noise may influence the ability 
to detect various sounds.
    The pinnipeds will also participate in physiological assessments to 
study their general biology including growth and development, 
nutritional requirements, health status, and environmental tolerance. 
Open-flow respirometry methods will be used to gather metabolic data 
from animals trained to rest and breathe under a plastic dome. Daily to 
weekly, animals may participate in voluntary physiological procedures 
including weighing, measuring, ultrasound, thermographic imaging, and 
sampling of hair, skin, feces, urine, and naturally shed vibrissae. 
Each month (up to 12 times per year), animals may be fed benign fecal 
markers and blood samples may be obtained. The applicant requests a 5-
year permit.
    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.


[[Page 52453]]


    Dated: August 25, 2015.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-21392 Filed 8-28-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P