[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 210 (Tuesday, October 30, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54570-54571]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-23652]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XG371


Marine Mammals; File No. 22095

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 SeaWorld, LLC., 9205 Southpark 
Center Loop, Suite 400, Orlando, FL 32819 (Responsible Party: 
Christopher Dold, DVM), has applied in due form for a scientific 
research and enhancement permit for one non-releasable beluga whale 
(Delphinapterus leucas) from the Cook Inlet distinct population segment 
(DPS).

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before November 29, 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. 22095 from the list of available applications.

[[Page 54571]]

    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 File No. 22095 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: Amy Sloan, Jennifer Skidmore, or 
Courtney Smith, (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 applicant proposes to conduct research on and provide long-term 
care for one male beluga whale calf from the Cook Inlet DPS. The calf 
stranded alone as a neonate when he was less than a month old, and was 
rescued and rehabilitated by the Alaska marine mammal stranding network 
under the authority of the NMFS Marine Mammal Health and Stranding 
Response Program's (MMHSRP) scientific research and enhancement permit. 
Based on his young age, health conditions, and need for socialization 
with other beluga whales, NMFS determined him to be non-releasable and 
unable to survive in the wild, and chose SeaWorld of Texas to accept 
Tyonek into their beluga population, which was best suited for his 
needs. NMFS followed the standard placement process for non-releasable 
marine mammals as outlined in the NMFS Placement Process for Non-
releasable Marine Mammals, No. 02-308-02, which is available at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/op/pds/documents/02/308/02-308-02.pdf. The calf is 
currently held at SeaWorld of Texas under the authority of the MMHSRP 
permit (No. 18786-03). SeaWorld is now applying for their own 
scientific research and enhancement permit for the long-term care of 
this non-releasable animal and to conduct research to benefit the 
endangered wild population of Cook Inlet beluga whales.
    SeaWorld's proposed research activities for this beluga whale 
include investigations of vocalizations (passive recordings) and 
hearing development (auditory evoked potential measurements). The 
proposed enhancement would include educational presentations on topics 
including the endangered status and current threats to the Cook Inlet 
DPS; continued daily husbandry care (feeding, training, and monitoring 
growth (measurements, weight, ultrasound)); veterinary care (exams and 
biological sampling including but not limited to blood, exhalate, 
swabs, urine, feces; and treatments as warranted); and behavioral 
observations and enrichment. This animal would be placed on public 
display incidental to the proposed activities but would not be used in 
interactive programs with the public or trained for performance. 
Presentations to educate the public may include demonstrations of 
trained husbandry and enrichment behaviors as well as natural 
behaviors. The permit is requested for a 5-year period, the maximum 
duration of a permit.
    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.
    NMFS has forwarded the application to the Marine Mammal Commission 
and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.

    Dated: October 24, 2018.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-23652 Filed 10-29-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P