[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 154 (Friday, August 11, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 37574]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-16985]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF592


Marine Mammals; File No. 21158

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 Robert Garrott, Ph.D., Montana 
State University, 310 Lewis Hall, Bozeman, MT 59717, has applied in due 
form for a permit to conduct research on Weddell seals (Leptoncychotes 
weddellii).

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before September 11, 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. 21158 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 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 proposes to continue long-term studies of the Erebus 
Bay, Antarctica, Weddell seal population to evaluate how temporal 
variation in the marine environment affects individual life histories 
and the population dynamics of long-lived mammal. Research involves the 
annual capture of up to 675 Weddell seal pups at 1-4 days after birth, 
flipper tagging, and release. A maximum of 150 of these pups would also 
receive a temperature recording flipper tag, be physically weighed, and 
have a skin biopsy taken for genetics when initially tagged. These pups 
would be re-captured again at 20 days of age to be weighed, and again 
at weaning for weighing and to remove the temperature tags. The 
applicant also proposes to capture up to 285 adults Weddell seals using 
the head-bagging technique to flipper tag previously untagged seals or 
replace lost or damaged tags of previously tagged individuals. An 
additional 100 previously tagged adult Weddell seals would be captured 
to obtain a skin biopsy for genetics. Up to 75 adult female Weddell 
seals would be photographed on the 3 occasions when their pup is 
weighed to obtained an estimate of the mother's mass through 
photogrammetry. An additional 15 females would be physically weighed 
when their pups were initially tagged and weighed. The applicant 
proposes to conduct up to eight mark-resight surveys, approaching 
animals to read their flipper tags. The applicant also requests 
incidental take of crabeater seals (Lobodon carcinophagus) and leopard 
seals (Hydrurga leptonyx) that may be unintentionally harassed. This 
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: August 8, 2017.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-16985 Filed 8-10-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P