[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 136 (Tuesday, July 18, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32789-32790]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-15039]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF536


Marine Mammals; File No. 21018

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 Brent Stewart, Ph.D., Hubbs-
SeaWorld Research Institute, 2595 Ingraham Street, San Diego, CA 92109 
has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on pinnipeds 
in California.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before August 17, 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. 21018 from the list of available applications.
    These documents are 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 Carrie Hubard, (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 study three species of 
pinnipeds in California. The objectives of the research are to continue 
long-term research on the comparative ecology, demography, community 
ecology, foraging patterns, pathology and phenology of California 
pinnipeds and to further characterize the resource and habitats used by 
each species, including patterns of spatial and temporal similarities 
and differences California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), northern 
elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris), and harbor seals (Phoca 
vitulina) would be captured and sampled at several sites including San 
Nicolas Island, San Miguel Island, Santa Rosa Island, Santa Cruz 
Island, Piedras Blancas, Cape San Martin, and Gorda. Some animals would 
only receive a flipper tag or a dye mark. Other animals

[[Page 32790]]

would be physically or chemically restrained; measured and weighed; 
have a variety of samples taken, including: blood, skin, blubber, and 
mucus membrane swabs; and have tracking or data recording instruments 
attached. For proposed take numbers by species and location and details 
on sampling methodologies, see the application. The applicant has 
requested authorization for the unintentional research related 
mortality of up to four animals of each species annually.
    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: July 12, 2017.
Donna S. Wieting,
Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-15039 Filed 7-17-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P