[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 50 (Wednesday, March 13, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 18397]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-05261]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RTID 0648-XD796


Marine Mammals and Endangered Species; File No. 27671

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 the Northwest Fisheries Science 
Center, Marine Forensic Laboratory, 2725 Montlake Blvd. East, Seattle, 
WA 98112 (Kevin Werner, Ph.D., Responsible Party), has applied in due 
form for a permit to receive, import, and export marine mammal and 
protected species parts for scientific research.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before April 12, 2024.

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. 27671 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. 27671 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: Malcolm Mohead or Jennifer Skidmore, 
(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 samples from 
up to 100 individual animals from each species of all cetaceans, 
pinnipeds (excluding walrus), sea turtles (in water), coral, and 
individual species of fish and abalone listed under the ESA including: 
black and white abalone, Pacific and Atlantic salmonids, sawfish, 
sturgeon, sharks, grouper, rockfish, guitarfish, and totoaba. Receipt, 
import, and export is requested worldwide. Sources of samples may 
include animal strandings in foreign countries, foreign and domestic 
subsistence harvests, captive animals, other authorized persons or 
collections, incidentally bycaught animals, transfers from law 
enforcement, and marine mammals that died incidental to commercial 
fishing operations in the U.S. and foreign countries, where such take 
is legal. Samples would be archived at the Marine Forensics 
Laboratories in either Charleston, South Carolina, Seattle, Washington, 
and Ashland, Oregon. Samples would be used for research, supporting law 
enforcement actions, and outreach and education. No live takes from the 
wild would be authorized. The requested duration of the permit is 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: March 7, 2024.
Julia Marie Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-05261 Filed 3-12-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P