[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 87 (Friday, May 3, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36761-36762]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-09615]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XD928]


Marine Mammals; File No. 27597

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 NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science 
Center's Marine Mammal Laboratory (MML), 7600 Sand Point Way NE, 
Seattle, WA 98115 (Responsible Party: John Bengston, Ph.D.) has applied 
in due form for a permit to conduct research on Steller sea lions 
(Eumetopias jubatus).

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before June 3, 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 
home page, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting the File No. 
27597 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 the File No. 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: Sara Young or Courtney Smith, Ph.D., 
at (301) 427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permits are requested under the 
authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended 
(MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) and the regulations governing the taking 
and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    MML proposes to conduct research to measure population status, 
vital rates, foraging ecology, habitat requirements, and effects of 
natural and anthropogenic factors impacting the eastern distinct 
population segment (eDPS) of Steller sea lion populations pursuant to 
fulfilling the NMFS legal requirements under the MMPA, and to test 
hypotheses of mechanisms underlying population trends. Proposed 
activities include surveys (aerial, vessel, and land) including use of 
unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), capture and handling, marking, hot 
branding, sampling (including but not limited to blood, blubber, swabs 
of all mucus membranes and lesions, skin samples, vibrissae, and hair), 
tagging, and unintentional disturbance. Animals may be disturbed by 
surveys, captured, sampled and released for vital rates, foraging 
ecology and/or health studies multiple times per year. MML requests 
four unintentional mortalities from the eDPS of Steller sea lions 
annually, not to exceed eight over the duration of the permit. Non-
target species that may be disturbed unintentionally during these 
studies include northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris), 
harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), and California sea

[[Page 36762]]

lions (Zalophus californianus). Collected biological samples may be 
exported for analysis. See the application for complete numbers of 
animals requested by species and procedure. The requested duration of 
this 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 activities proposed are consistent with the Preferred Alternative 
in the Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Steller 
Sea Lion and Northern Fur Seal Research (NMFS 2007) and a supplemental 
environmental assessment (NMFS 2014) prepared for the addition of 
unmanned aerial surveys to the suite of Steller sea lion research 
activities analyzed under the EIS that concluded that issuance of the 
permits would not have a significant adverse impact on the human 
environment. An environmental review memo is being prepared to 
summarize these findings.
    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: April 29, 2024.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-09615 Filed 5-2-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P