[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 190 (Tuesday, October 5, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54940-54941]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-21647]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XB460]


Marine Mammals; File No. 25794

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 Jennifer Burns, Ph.D., Texas Tech 
University, Biology Department, 2901 Main Street Lubbock, TX 79409-3131 
has applied in due form for a permit to import and export specimens of 
gray seals (Halichoerus grypus) for scientific research.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before November 4, 2021.

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. 25794 from the list of available applications. These documents are 
also available upon written request via email to 
[email protected].
    Written comments on this application should be submitted via email 
to [email protected]. Please include File No. 25794 in the 
subject line of the email comment.
    Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a 
written request via email to [email protected]. The request 
should set forth the specific reasons why a hearing on this application 
would be appropriate.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Skidmore or Sara Young, (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 proposes to import and export of parts collected from 
gray seals at Sable Island, Nova Scotia for the purpose of studying the 
role of maternal iron transfer in the development of heme stores and 
aerobic diving capacity in gray seal pups. Samples will be imported and 
exported from up to 35 males, 51 females and 16 pups (of either sex) 
per year. In addition, the applicant is proposing to opportunistically 
import and export of samples from 100 gray seals from Canada DFO 
archives and organs opportunistically salvaged from up to 20 deceased 
gray seals in Canada. Samples would include blood, milk, whiskers, 
nails, fur, blubber, muscle, scat, spew, saliva, and urine. Samples

[[Page 54941]]

will be imported from Canada through Houston/Dallas (Texas Tech 
University), Boston (Woods Hole), or Los Angeles/Seattle/Anchorage 
(University of Alaska Fairbanks). Samples may also be re-exported back 
to Canada. A permit is requested for a duration of 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 30, 2021.
Benjamin Laws,
Acting Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-21647 Filed 10-4-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P