[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 224 (Wednesday, November 22, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 81368-81369]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-25783]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XD552]


Marine Mammals; File No. 27514

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 Heather E. Liwanag, Ph.D., 
California Polytechnic State University, 1 Grand Avenue, San Luis 
Obispo, CA 93407-0401, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct 
research on northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) in 
California.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before December 22, 
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,

[[Page 81369]]

https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File No. 27514 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. 27514 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: Jennifer Skidmore 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), and the Fur Seal Act 
of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).
    The applicant requests a 5 year permit to study northern elephant 
seals in California including Piedras Blancas, Gorda, Vandenberg Air 
Force Base, and the Channel Islands. Research would be conducted year-
round on all age classes and both sexes, with increased frequency and 
effort during the breeding season (December-April). Research will 
include behavioral observations, acoustics recordings and playbacks, 
marking, unmanned aircraft systems, capture, measurements, 
instrumentation, ultrasound, and sampling (blood, scat, urine, swabs, 
fur, vibrissae) for health monitoring and research. Two unintentional 
mortality takes are requested per year not to exceed five over the 
duration of the permit. In addition, salvage, import, export, and 
receipt of pinniped parts (any species) is requested for scientific 
research. The following species may also be unintentionally harassed 
during research: California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), harbor 
seals (Phoca vitulina), and northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus). 
See the take table for complete numbers of animals requested by 
species, life stage, and procedure.
    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: November 16, 2023.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-25783 Filed 11-21-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P