[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 38 (Wednesday, February 26, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11051-11052]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-03846]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XR091]


Marine Mammals; File No. 23273

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 Michelle Shero, Ph.D., Woods Hole 
Oceanographic Institution, 266 Woods

[[Page 11052]]

Hole Road, Woods Hole, MA 02543, has applied in due form for a permit 
to conduct research on Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii).

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before March 27, 2020.

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. 23273 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 Carrie Hubard, (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.) and the regulations governing the taking 
and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    The applicant requests a permit to take Weddell seals to assess the 
nature and underlying mechanisms that contribute to the significant 
heterogeneity observed in reproductive rates and animal fitness that 
exist within wild animal populations. This project will take a two-
stage approach to understanding the causes of observed differences in 
reproductive output by comparing high- and low-quality females' energy 
dynamics, aerobic capacity and dive behavior, and fertility (genetics). 
To achieve project goals, a cohort of 26 female-pup pairs (13 high-
quality, 13 low-quality) in Erebus Bay, Antarctica will undergo health 
assessments across the austral summer. Dive recorders will also be 
deployed during this time, and instruments will be recovered after the 
winter (gestational) foraging period. An estimated 52 animals may be 
taken (although additional animals may sampled if animals do not return 
to the expected location for recapture) by capture and restraint for 
drug administration, biological sampling, blood sampling, 
instrumentation, marking, measuring, ultrasound, and weighing. Up to 
36,100 Weddell seals may also be taken by harassment through counting 
surveys, collection of molt, scat, spew, urine, and unmanned aircraft 
systems for photogrammetry. Samples collected during research and 
salvaged from carcasses may be imported or exported. Up to five 
mortalities of Weddell seal females and five Weddell seal pups are 
requested annually, not to exceed 15 mortalities across the duration of 
the permit. Up to 20 crabeater seals (Lobodon carcinophagus) may also 
be incidentally harassed during research activities.
    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: February 21, 2020.
Julia Marie Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-03846 Filed 2-25-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P