[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 187 (Thursday, September 28, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 66815]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-21225]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XD406]


Marine Mammals; File No. 27424

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 Point Blue Conservation Science, 
3820 Cypress Drive No. 11, Petaluma, CA 94954, (Responsible Party: 
Grant Ballard, Ph.D.), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct 
research on five species of pinnipeds.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before October 30, 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. 27424 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. 27424 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: Courtney Smith, Ph.D., 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 (16 
U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the regulations governing the taking and 
importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216), and the Fur Seal Act of 
1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).
    The applicant requests a 5-year scientific research permit to study 
and monitor population trends, health, diet, ecology, and physiology of 
pinnipeds in the greater Gulf of the Farallones and San Francisco Bay 
region of California. Up to 210 northern elephant seals (Mirounga 
angustirostris) and 500 northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) may be 
captured annually for marking, morphometrics, and biological sampling. 
An additional 1,355 elephant seals may be marked and swabbed without 
capture. Up to 1,500 harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), 800 northern 
elephant seals, 5,320 California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), 
155 Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus; Eastern distinct population 
segment), and 1,500 northern fur seals may be taken or unintentionally 
harassed annually during ground or unmanned aircraft system surveys, 
for counts, observation, and scat collection. The applicant also 
requests up to five unintentional mortalities of northern elephant 
seals 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: September 22, 2023.
Amy Sloan,
Acting Division Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-21225 Filed 9-27-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P