[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 224 (Monday, November 21, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 83202-83203]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-27861]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE743


Marine Mammals; File No. 20443

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 Alaska Department of Fish and 
Game, PO Box 115526, Juneau, AK 99811-5526 [Responsible Party: Robert 
Small, Ph.D.], has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research 
on marine mammals.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before December 21, 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

[[Page 83203]]

Protected Species (APPS) home page, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and 
then selecting File No. 20443 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: Rosa Gonz[aacute]lez or Sara Young, 
(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 applicant requests a five-year permit to study harbor seals 
(Phoca vitulina) throughout their range in Alaska, including Southeast 
Alaska, Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea. The overall objective of the 
research is to provide a greater understanding of the proximate and 
ultimate factors that regulate their abundance, which is required to 
develop effective management and conservation strategies. Research 
activities include aerial, vessel and ground surveys, radio tracking, 
photo-identification, photograph/video, behavioral observations and 
monitoring, and capture of up to 350 animals by entanglement in a net 
in the water or by hoop net or dip net on land. Captured animals may be 
chemical restraint; physical restraint by hand, net, cage or stretcher. 
Researchers may collect biological samples (e.g., scat, blood, milk 
from lactating females, blubber, muscle, skin, hair, mucus membrane 
swabs, stomach content subsample, tooth and vibrissae); standard 
morphometrics and weight; measurements of blubber via ultrasound; and 
inject PIT tags and attach flipper tags. A subset of the captured 
animals may also be outfitted with external transmitters and data-
loggers. The applicant also requests export (worldwide) and import of 
samples for analysis, incidental disturbance and unintentional 
mortality of harbor seals and porpoises (Phocoena phocoena), and 
intentional mortality (euthanasia) of harbor seals.
    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: November 15, 2016.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-27861 Filed 11-18-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P