[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 93 (Friday, May 13, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29846-29847]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-11311]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE599


Marine Mammals; File No. 19638

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 Paul Ponganis, Ph.D., University 
of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, has applied in due form 
for a permit to conduct research on California sea lions (Zalophus 
californianus).

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before June 13, 2016.

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. 19638 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: Sara Young or Amy Sloan, (301) 427-
8401.

[[Page 29847]]


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 determine the role of blood 
oxygen store depletion in the dive behavior and foraging ecology of 
California sea lions. This research would help determine the ability of 
these animals to adapt to environmental change. Over the course of five 
years, up to 70 lactating females would be captured, flipper tagged, 
anesthetized, and equipped with a venous or arterial blood oxygen 
recorder, a velocity-acceleration-depth recorder, kinematic recorders, 
intravascular lactate sensor, or intravascular thermistor probe during 
foraging trips to sea. Animals would be recaptured after the foraging 
trip to remove the recorders. The pups of the females would also be 
captured and marked for ID purposes. Research would occur on San 
Nicolas Island off the coast of California. Annually, up to 4,000 
California sea lions, 100 harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), 200 northern 
elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris), and 30 northern fur seals 
(Callorhinus ursinus) may be incidentally harassed during research. A 
limited number of California sea lion mortalities (one per year) are 
requested. The permit would be valid for 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 10, 2016.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-11311 Filed 5-12-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P