[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 139 (Thursday, July 19, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 34118]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-15459]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XG345


Marine Mammals; File No. 21329

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 John P. Wise, Sr., Ph.D., 
University of Louisville, Department of Pharmacology, 500 S Preston 
St., Suite 1319, Louisville, KY 40202 has applied in due form for a 
permit to receive, import, and export biological samples from marine 
mammals, sea turtles, and protected sharks for scientific research 
purposes.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before August 20, 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. 21329 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. 21329 
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 Amy Hapeman, 
(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.), the 
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of 
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226), and the Fur 
Seal Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).
    The applicant proposes to receive, import, and export specimens 
from marine mammals, sea turtles, and protected sharks under NMFS' 
jurisdiction to: (1) Determine concentrations of metals and other 
environmental contaminants in these species; and (2) establish a 
resource of marine mammal, sea turtle, and protected shark cell lines 
for use as model systems in the investigation of various factors 
related to the health of these protected species and as comparative 
tools to human studies (toxicity of metals, virology, etc.). Import and 
export authority is requested worldwide and the number of animals 
requested per species is outlined in the take tables in the 
application.
    No take of live wild animals would be involved; tissues would be 
received from the following sources: Marine mammals or sharks stranded 
dead or that died during rehabilitation; captive marine mammals or 
sharks held for public display or research; marine mammals and sharks 
taken in a legal fishery; marine mammals, sea turtles, or sharks 
sampled by other permitted researchers; and marine mammals or sharks 
killed during legal subsistence hunts. Once the cell lines are 
established, they may be transferred to other researchers for 
scientific research, including export to world-wide locations. The cell 
lines would not be sold for profit or used for commercial purposes. The 
requested duration of the permit is 5 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: July 16, 2018.
Julia Marie Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-15459 Filed 7-18-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P