[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 207 (Friday, October 25, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 57404]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-23383]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XR063
Marine Mammals; File No. 22678
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 NMFS' Marine Mammal Laboratory,
Seattle Washington (Responsible Party: John Bengtson), has applied in
due form for a permit to conduct research on pinnipeds.
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or
before November 25, 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. 22678 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: Sara Young 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 proposes to conduct research on pinnipeds to meet the
mandates of the MMPA and ESA by improving our understanding of west
coast pinniped species through monitoring population abundance and
trends, health, and behavior as mandated under the laws. The applicant
requests the following: (1) Directed and incidental takes of the U.S.
stock of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus); California,
Oregon, Washington coast and Inland Washington stocks of Pacific harbor
seals (Phoca vitulina); the California breeding stock of northern
elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris), and Mexico stock of Guadalupe
fur seals (Artocephalus townsendi) and (2) incidental takes of the
California stock of northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) and
eastern Pacific stock of Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus). Up to
271,215 live California sea lions may be taken annually including 2,435
by capture for sampling, 80 by intentional mortality for humane
purposes, and 268,700 by incidental disturbance. Research activities
include: Aerial, vessel, ground, and observation surveys; capture for
sampling of tissues, marking, and instrumentation; remote
immobilization, biopsy and marking. Samples may be exported to domestic
or foreign collaborators for analysis or archived. Up to 69,805 live
Pacific harbor seals may be taken annually including 1,405 by capture
for sampling and 68,400 by incidental disturbance. Up to 186,720 live
northern elephant seals may be taken annually including 120 by capture
for sampling and 186,600 by incidental disturbance. Up to 295 live
Guadalupe fur seals may be taken annually including 130 by capture for
sampling and 165 by incidental disturbance. Up to 20 live hybrid
pinnipeds may be taken annually by capture for sampling. Up to 12
California sea lions, 6 harbor seals, 4 elephant seals, 3 Guadalupe fur
seals, or 3 pinniped hybrids may be taken annually by unintentional
mortality, with a maximum of 28 for all species over the duration of
the permit. Up to 500 dead California sea lions, harbor seals, and
elephant seals and 5 Guadalupe fur seals may be salvaged annually. 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.
Julia Marie Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-23383 Filed 10-24-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P