[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 181 (Wednesday, September 18, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49097-49098]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-20169]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-PR-A004


Marine Mammals; File No. 23092

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 C. Scott Baker, Ph.D., Oregon 
State University, Marine Mammal Institute, Hatfield Marine Science 
Center, 2030 SE Marine Science Drive, Newport, OR 97365, has applied in 
due form for a permit to receive, import, and export

[[Page 49098]]

marine mammals specimens for scientific research.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before October 18, 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. 23092 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: Jennifer Skidmore or Shasta 
McClenahan, (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 requests a permit to receive, import, and export 
samples of marine mammal parts collected legally from any species of 
cetaceans and pinnipeds, except the walrus, for scientific research. 
The proposed research is intended to maximize the biological 
information gained from each sample and is expected to result in an 
improved understanding of the taxonomy, genetic diversity, population 
structure, abundance, and individual movement of marine mammals. The 
anticipated U.S. and foreign sources of samples include the following: 
Animals in captivity (samples taken during routine husbandry procedures 
or under separate authorization); animals in foreign countries stranded 
alive or dead or that died during rehabilitation; animals killed during 
legal subsistence hunting; animals killed incidental to legal 
commercial fishing operations; and samples from other authorized 
persons or collections. The total number of samples that will be 
received, imported, or exported will not exceed 5,000 individual 
cetaceans and 5,000 individual pinnipeds, annually. The requested 
period of the 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: September 13, 2019.
Julia Marie Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-20169 Filed 9-17-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P