[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 35 (Wednesday, February 21, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 7455]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-03541]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XG039


Marine Mammals; File No. 21251

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 Waikiki Aquarium, 2777 Kalakaua 
Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815 (Dr. Andrew Rossiter, Responsible Party), 
has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on and 
enhancement of captive Hawaiian monk seals.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before March 23, 2018.

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. 21251 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. 21251 
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: Jennifer Skidmore 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 Endangered 
Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and the 
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of 
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226).
    The Waikiki Aquarium is requesting a 5-year permit to continue to 
maintain in captivity up to three male Hawaiian monk seals (Neomonachus 
schauinslandi) for research and enhancement purposes. The aquarium 
currently maintains two non-releasable seals. Research proposed 
includes continuation of a long-term diet study using voluntary 
behaviors to monitor changes in body mass. The Aquarium will continue 
its collaboration with the University of California Santa Cruz 
investigating underwater feeding behavior. The Aquarium will begin a 
new project with Dr. Christin Murphy of the Department of Defense and 
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute studying ventral vibrissae. All 
activities will occur at the Waikiki Aquarium.
    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: February 15, 2018.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-03541 Filed 2-20-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P