[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 64 (Tuesday, April 2, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 22683]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-06862]



[[Page 22683]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XD822]


Marine Mammals and Endangered Species; File No. 27830

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 Gregory Lewbart, VMD, North 
Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, 1060 William 
Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, has applied in due form for a permit to 
import and export marine mammal and protected species parts for 
scientific research.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before May 2, 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. 27830 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. 27830 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 import parts of Gal[aacute]pagos sea 
lions (Zalophus wollebaeki) and Gal[aacute]pagos fur seals 
(Arctocephalus galapagoensis) collected in Ecuador to the North 
Carolina State University, College of Veterinarian Medicine or 
ZooQuatic Labs, Baltimore, Maryland. Samples will obtained from live 
animals during health assessments or from dead salvaged animals, 
including those impacted by boats or fishing equipment. In addition, 
samples may be exported for additional analyses. The objective of the 
research is to assess each population's health by analyzing samples 
collected from up to 50 live and 100 dead animals of each species, 
annually. The permit would be valid for 5 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: March 27, 2024.
Julia Marie Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-06862 Filed 4-1-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P