[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 66 (Friday, April 7, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16995-16996]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-06943]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF272


Marine Mammals; File No. 20466

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

[[Page 16996]]


ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Alaska Department of Fish and Game 
(ADF&G), Division of Wildlife Conservation, Juneau, AK (Responsible 
Party: Robert Small, Ph.D.), has applied in due form for a permit to 
conduct research on ice seals in Alaska.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before May 8, 2017.

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. 20466 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.

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 requests a five-year permit to conduct scientific 
research on spotted (Phoca largha), ringed (Phoca hispida), bearded 
(Erignathus barbatus), and ribbon (Histriophoca fasciata) seals in the 
Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort seas of Alaska. The purpose of this 
research is to monitor the status and health of all four species by 
analyzing samples from the subsistence harvest and by documenting 
movements and habitat use by tracking animals with satellite 
transmitters. In addition to sampling harvested seals, the applicant 
would capture up to 200 individuals of each species per year. Captured 
seals would be measured, sampled (e.g., blood, blubber, skin, muscle, 
and whisker), and fitted with transmitters. The applicant also requests 
permission to harass non-target seals of each species as well as beluga 
whales, and authorization for a limited number of research-related 
mortalities. Results of these studies would be used to monitor the 
health and status of each of the four species' populations, improve 
population assessments, and develop mitigation measures to minimize 
disturbance to these species that are important to the indigenous 
people of Alaska for subsistence food, materials, and for cultural 
significance. Samples would be imported from Russia, Canada, Svalbard 
(Norway) and exported to Canada 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: April 3, 2017.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-06943 Filed 4-6-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P