[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 102 (Wednesday, May 27, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31747-31748]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-11270]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XR092]


Marine Mammals; File No. 23188

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and

[[Page 31748]]

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Institute of Marine Sciences, 
University of California at Santa Cruz (Responsible Party: Daniel 
Costa, Ph.D.) has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research 
on northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris).

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before June 26, 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. 23188 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: Sara Young or Shasta McClenahan, (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 applicant requests authorization to continue a long-term 
research program started in 1968 to study northern elephant seal 
population growth and status, reproductive strategies, behavioral and 
physiological adaptations for diving and fasting, general physiology 
and metabolism, and sensory physiology. Up to 4,210 northern elephant 
seals may be captured and handled for research and up to 32,110 
individuals may be harassed during research. Five unintentional 
mortalities related to research and up to 10 directed mortalities for 
euthanasia of moribund or orphaned pups, are requested annually. 
Research methods include behavioral observations, marking, flipper 
tagging, capture and sampling, active and passive acoustics, attachment 
of instrumentats for tracking, translocation studies, short-term 
captive holding for laboratory studies, use of hormone challenges and 
standard clinical tracer techniques for physiology studies. Research 
would include all age and sex classes of northern elephant seals over 
the entire calendar year. Proposed research locations include haul-out 
sites from California to Washington, but primarily A[ntilde]o Nuevo. 
Incidental harassment of northern elephant seals, California sea lions 
(Zalophus californianus), harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), and Steller 
sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) of the Eastern Distinct Population 
Segment is requested. The duration of the requested 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: May 20, 2020.
Julia Marie Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-11270 Filed 5-26-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P