[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]
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