[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 164 (Friday, August 23, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 44285]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-18170]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XR024


Marine Mammals; File No. 22851

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Sea Life Park Hawaii, 41-202 
Kalanianaole Highway #7, Waimanalo, HI 96795 (Valerie King, Responsible 
Party), has applied in due form for a permit to maintain non-releasable 
Hawaiian monk seals (Neomonachus schauinslandi) in captivity for 
enhancement purposes.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before September 23, 2019.

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. 22851 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. 22851 
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).
    Sea Life Park Hawaii proposes to maintain up to four non-releasable 
adult Hawaiian monk seals for enhancement purposes. These seals would 
be animals removed from the wild under separate permits for stranding 
response and enhancement and will be animals that have been deemed non-
releasable to the wild. A public conservation and education lecture 
will be conducted daily concerning the status of Hawaiian monk seals, 
and educational descriptive signs with current information are on 
display at the monk seal exhibit. In addition, these animals will be 
made available for scientific studies by researchers whose research 
protocols are approved by the Sea Life Park Hawaii Curator and staff 
veterinarian and authorized under separate permits. The requested 
duration of this permit is 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 19, 2019.
Julia Marie Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-18170 Filed 8-22-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P