[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 139 (Thursday, July 21, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 43500]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-15575]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XB798]


Marine Mammals; File No. 26254

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 the Alaska Department of Fish & 
Game (ADF&G), 1300 College Road, Fairbanks, AK 99701 (Responsible 
Party: Lori Quakenbush), has applied in due form for a permit to 
conduct research on ice seals in Alaska.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before August 22, 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. 26254 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. 26254 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.), 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.), and the 
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of 
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222 through 226).
    On February 14, 2022, notice was published in the Federal Register 
(87 FR 8235) that a request for an amendment to a scientific research 
permit for research on ice seals had been submitted by the above-named 
applicant. Following the close of the public comment period, the 
applicant made a substantive change to their application request; 
therefore, we are opening an additional public comment period to allow 
review and comment on the revised permit application.
    The applicant requests a permit to conduct scientific research on 
spotted (Phoca largha), ringed (Pusa hispida), bearded (Erignathus 
barbatus), and ribbon (Histriophoca fasciata) seals in the Bering, 
Chukchi, and Beaufort seas of Alaska. The purpose of this research is 
to monitor the status and health of seal species by analyzing samples 
from the subsistence harvest and by documenting movements and habitat 
use by tracking animals with satellite transmitters. In addition to 
sampling harvested seals, the applicant would capture up to 50 bearded 
seals, 20 ribbon seals, 50 ringed seals, and 50 spotted seals per year 
that would be sedated, measured, sampled (e.g., blood and skin), 
flipper tagged, and fitted with transmitters. The applicant requests to 
capture an additional 50 bearded seals, 20 ribbon seals, 50 ringed 
seals, and 50 spotted seals per year that would be measured, sampled, 
and flipper tagged but not fitted with external instruments. The 
applicant also requests permission to harass non-target seals of all 
four pinniped species as well as beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas). 
The applicant requests up to five mortalities per species per year for 
pinniped captures and one mortality of a beluga whale annually due to 
accidental entanglement in pinniped capture nets. The applicant also 
requests to collect and receive samples primarily from U.S. subsistence 
hunted pinnipeds as well as import and export unlimited samples from up 
to 5,000 animals of each ice seal species as well as unlimited samples 
from 100 unidentified pinnipeds. Samples would be imported from 
primarily Russia, Canada, Svalbard (Norway) and exported to Canada for 
analyses. The permit would be valid for 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.
    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: July 18, 2022.
Amy Sloan,
Acting Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-15575 Filed 7-20-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P