[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 180 (Tuesday, September 19, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 64413]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-20180]



[[Page 64413]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XD363]


Marine Mammals; File No. 27460

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 Jose Pablo Vazquez-Medina, Ph.D., 
University of California at Berkeley, 3040 Valley Life Sciences Bldg., 
#3140, Berkeley, CA 94720, has applied in due form for a permit to 
import specimens of marine mammals for scientific research.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before October 19, 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. 27460 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. 27460 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: Carrie Hubard or Erin Markin, (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 proposes to receive, import, and export biological 
samples from up to 200 pinnipeds (excluding walrus) and 200 cetaceans 
annually. Sources of foreign and domestic parts may include subsistence 
harvests, captive animals, other authorized researchers or curated 
collections, bycatch from legal commercial fishing operations, and 
foreign stranded animals. The samples will be used to generate cell 
lines and examine the effects of stress hormones and organic pollutants 
on marine mammal cellular and tissue functions. 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: September 12, 2023.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-20180 Filed 9-18-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P