[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