[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 17 (Wednesday, January 26, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 3976]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-01491]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XB731]


Marine Mammals; File No. 22260

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, Las Vegas, NV 89154, 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 February 25, 2022.

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. 22260 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. 22260 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: 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 proposes multiple studies to investigate how 
physiology supports and limits hypoxia tolerance in diving marine 
mammals. The applicant proposes to take 30 adult Weddell seals at an 
isolated dive hole and 36 free-ranging adult Weddell seals in Erebus 
Bay, Antarctica over two field seasons, with up to two unintentional 
mortalities proposed annually. Animals may be taken via capture, 
restraint, transport, anesthesia and sedation, external and internal 
instrumentation, biological sampling, marking, weighing, and 
ultrasound. The number of times an animal may receive a specific 
procedure is dependent on which of the four experimental groups it is 
assigned. Animals transported to remote breathing holes for dive tests 
will be held at the location for approximately six days before being 
returned to their original location of capture. Samples collected 
during these studies may be exported to the United States for analysis. 
While only 2 years of field study would be authorized, the permit would 
remain valid for 5 years to allow additional time for sample 
importation.
    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: January 20, 2022.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-01491 Filed 1-25-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P