[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 155 (Monday, August 14, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 55017]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-17299]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XD227]


Marine Mammals; File No. 27155

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 Jamie Lloyd-Smith, Ph.D., 
University of California, Los Angeles, 610 Charles E. Young Dr. South, 
Los Angeles, CA 90095, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct 
research on California sea lions (Zalophus californianus).

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before September 13, 2023.

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. 27155 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. 27155 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 Shasta McClenahan, 
Ph.D., (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 222-226), and the Fur 
Seal Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).
    The applicant requests a 5-year research permit to take California 
sea lions to study the disease ecology of Leptospira along the coast of 
California, Oregon, and Washington. Up to 20,675 California sea lions 
may be taken annually including 515 captured and sampled, 100 salvage 
of biological sampling of naturally deceased animals, 60 
disentanglements, and 20,000 unintentional harassments. Animals 
captured would be restrained, anesthetized, measured, marked (including 
hot brand of non-pups in Oregon), instrumented, and sampled. Up to 
5,000 northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris), 100 Steller 
sea lions (Eastern distinct population segment; Eumetopias jubatus), 
2,000 northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinsus), 10 threatened 
Guadalupe fur seals (Arctocephalus townsendi), and 100 Pacific harbor 
seals (Phoca vitulina) may be unintentionally harassed annually during 
research. The applicant requests up to six unintentional mortalities of 
California sea lions over the duration of the permit, with no more than 
two annually.
    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: August 3, 2023.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-17299 Filed 8-11-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P