[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 49 (Thursday, March 12, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 14468]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-05063]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XA074]


Marine Mammals; File No. 23310

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 Patricia Fair, Ph.D., South 
Carolina Aquarium, 100 Aquarium Wharf, Charleston, SC 29401, has 
applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on bottlenose 
dolphins (Tursiops truncatus).

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before April 13, 2020.

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. 23310 from the list of available applications.
    These documents are also available upon written request or by 
appointment in the Permits and Conservation Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver 
Spring, MD 20910; phone (301) 427-8401; fax (301) 713-0376.
    Written comments on this application should be submitted to the 
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, at the address listed above. 
Comments may also be submitted by facsimile to (301) 713-0376, or by 
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 to the Chief, Permits and Conservation Division at the 
address listed above. The request should set forth the specific reasons 
why a hearing on this application would be appropriate.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carrie Hubard or Jordan Rutland, (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.) and the regulations governing the taking 
and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    The applicant proposes to compare stressors on bottlenose dolphins 
in two different estuarine habitats: The urbanized Charleston, SC area 
and the more pristine May River, SC area. Researchers would use biopsy 
sampling, combined with photo-identification data, to examine stress 
biomarkers, hormones, proteomics, lipidomics and contaminants. Up to 72 
dolphins may be biopsy sampled at each study site annually. An 
additional 5000 animals may be harassed and photographed annually 
during vessel surveys. The permit would be valid for five 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 9, 2020.
Amy Sloan,
Acting Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-05063 Filed 3-11-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P