[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 170 (Tuesday, September 5, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60650-60651]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-19056]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XD322]


Marine Mammals; File No. 27459

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 Robin Trayler, Ph.D., University 
of California, Merced, 5200 N Lake Road, Science and Engineering 1, 
283, Merced, CA 95343, has applied in due form for a permit to import 
marine mammal specimens for scientific research.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before October 5, 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. 27459 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. 27459 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.

[[Page 60651]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Skidmore and 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 to import up to 20 samples annually from 
each of the following species: ringed seal (Pusa hispida), harbor seal 
(Phoca vitulina) and gray seal (Halichoerus grypus); and up to 40 
samples annually from killer whales (Orcinus orca) from the Swedish 
Natural History Museums' collections (i.e., collection of beached or 
accidentally killed animals). The applicant proposes to use stable 
isotope analysis of bone collagen to investigate the dietary ecology of 
grey wolves (Canis lupus) and killer whales over the past 100 years. By 
quantifying the contribution of seals to the diet of the predators, the 
research will study the energy flow between marine and terrestrial 
ecosystems and pressure on seal populations in Sweden. The permit would 
be valid for 3 years from the date of issuance.
    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 30, 2023.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-19056 Filed 9-1-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P