[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 118 (Thursday, June 18, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 36837]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-13105]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XA235]


Marine Mammals; File No. 23779

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 Allyson Hindle, Ph.D., University 
of Nevada Las Vegas, 4505 S Maryland Parkway, MS 4004, Las Vegas, NV 
89154, has applied in due form for a permit to receive, import, and 
export parts from marine mammals for scientific research purposes.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before July 20, 2020.

ADDRESSES: 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. 23779 
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 through 226), and 
the Fur Seal Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).
    The applicant proposes to receive, import, and export marine mammal 
parts for comparative research on the physiology and other biological 
aspects of marine mammals. Unlimited samples from up to 100 individual 
cetaceans and 100 individual pinnipeds (excluding walrus) are requested 
to be received, imported, or exported annually. These samples may be 
received from U.S. based research, legal subsistence hunts, incidental 
fisheries takes, or during routine husbandry/health assessments of 
curated animals. Samples may also be imported from international 
collaborators that were originally collected as research samples, 
curated animals, animal killed during subsistence hunts, animals killed 
incidental to fishery operations, or dead stranded animals. No live 
animal takes are requested. The applicant has requested a 5-year 
permit.
    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: June 11, 2020.
Julia Marie Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-13105 Filed 6-17-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P