80 FR 39411 - Marine Mammals; File Nos. 17278 and 17557
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 131 (July 9, 2015)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 131 (July 9, 2015)
| Page Range | 39411-39412 | |
| FR Document | 2015-16781 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 131 (Thursday, July 9, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 39411-39412] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-16781] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648-XD825 Marine Mammals; File Nos. 17278 and 17557 AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit amendments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that major amendments have been issued to James Shine, Ph.D., Harvard University School of Public Health, 401 Park Drive, 404H West, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, (Permit No. 17278- 01) and the NMFS Forensics Office, 219 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston, SC 29412 (Permit No. 17557-01). ADDRESSES: The permit amendments and related documents are available for review 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. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Skidmore, Amy Sloan, or Malcolm Mohead, (301) 427-8401. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 20, 2015, notice was published in the Federal Register (80 FR 14907) that requests for amendments to Permit Nos. 17278 and 17557 to import specimens from long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas; 17278) and scalloped hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna lewinia; 17557) for scientific research had been submitted by the above-named applicants. The requested permit amendments have been issued under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (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.), and the regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226), as applicable. [[Page 39412]] Permit No. 17278 authorizes Dr. Shine to import and receive parts from subsistence-collected long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) archived at the Faroese Museum of Natural History, Faroe Islands. The permit, as amended, increases the number of samples authorized to be imported from 15 to 100 animals annually, as well as authorization to conduct analyses of chlorinated and fluorinated organic chemicals using the same samples. Permit No. 17557 authorizes the NMFS Forensics Office to receive, import, export, transfer, archive, and conduct analyses on marine mammal and ESA-listed species parts under NMFS jurisdiction. The permit has been amended to include scalloped hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna lewinia) recently listed under the ESA. In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), a final determination has been made that the activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. As required by the ESA, issuance of the permit amendment (Permit No. 17557-01) was based on a finding that such permit: (1) Was applied for in good faith; (2) will not operate to the disadvantage of such endangered species; and (3) is consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the ESA. Dated: June 26, 2015. Julia Harrison, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2015-16781 Filed 7-8-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 131 / Thursday, July 9, 2015 / Notices 39411
should be directed to M. Jan Saunders, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dated: June 30, 2015.
(302) 526–5251, at least 5 days prior to Jennifer Skidmore or Amy Hapeman, Julia Harrison,
the meeting date. (301) 427–8401. Chief, Permits and Conservation Division,
Dated: July 6, 2015. Office of Protected Resources, National
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Marine Fisheries Service.
Tracey L. Thompson, subject amendment to Permit No. [FR Doc. 2015–16779 Filed 7–8–15; 8:45 am]
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable 14450–02 is requested under the BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. authority of the Marine Mammal
[FR Doc. 2015–16788 Filed 7–8–15; 8:45 am] Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), and the regulations DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
governing the taking and importing of
marine mammals (50 CFR part 216). National Oceanic and Atmospheric
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Administration
Permit No. 14450–02, last amended
National Oceanic and Atmospheric on December 31, 2014, authorizes the RIN 0648–XD825
Administration SEFSC to take all cetacean species that
Marine Mammals; File Nos. 17278 and
RIN 0648–XS35 occur in U.S. and international waters of
17557
the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and
Marine Mammals; File No. 14450 Caribbean Sea. Activities include aerial AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
and vessel-based line-transect sampling, Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries acoustic sampling, behavioral Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Commerce.
observations, vessel-based photo-
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit
identification, and biopsy sampling.
Commerce. amendments.
Satellite tagging of ESA-listed large
ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for
whales is also authorized. Tissue SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that
permit amendment.
samples collected in other countries major amendments have been issued to
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that may be imported into the U.S. The James Shine, Ph.D., Harvard University
the NMFS Southeast Fisheries Science permit expires on February 28, 2019. School of Public Health, 401 Park Drive,
Center (SEFSC), 75 Virginia Beach The SEFSC is requesting the permit be 404H West, Boston, Massachusetts
Drive, Miami, FL 33149 [Principal amended to authorize satellite tagging of 02215, (Permit No. 17278–01) and the
Investigator: Dr. Keith Mullin], has non-ESA listed cetaceans during NMFS Forensics Office, 219 Fort
applied for an amendment to Scientific authorized vessel surveys to support Johnson Road, Charleston, SC 29412
Research Permit No. 14450–02. NMFS stock assessments as follows: 40 (Permit No. 17557–01).
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email Bryde’s whales (Balaenoptera edeni), 40 ADDRESSES: The permit amendments
comments must be received on or before of each species of short-finned and related documents are available for
August 10, 2015. (Globicephala macrorhynchus) and review upon written request or by
ADDRESSES: The application and related long-finned (Globicephala melas) pilot appointment in the Permits and
documents are available for review by whales, and 20 individuals each of the Conservation Division, Office of
selecting ‘‘Records Open for Public Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-
21 other authorized non-listed cetacean
Comment’’ from the Features box on the West Highway, Room 13705, Silver
species, annually. Tags would be either
Applications and Permits for Protected Spring, MD 20910; phone (301) 427–
suction cup attachments, fully 8401; fax (301) 713–0376.
Species home page, https:// implantable or minimally invasive dart
apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
attachments. A maximum of 2 tags
File No. 14450 from the list of available Jennifer Skidmore, Amy Sloan, or
could be placed on an animal at one Malcolm Mohead, (301) 427–8401.
applications.
time. Adults of both sexes without
These documents are also available SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March
calves would be tagged. In addition, the 20, 2015, notice was published in the
upon written request or by appointment
in the Permits and Conservation SEFSC is requesting authorization to Federal Register (80 FR 14907) that
Division, Office of Protected Resources, import and export marine mammals requests for amendments to Permit Nos.
NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room samples from sources (other than 17278 and 17557 to import specimens
13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone currently authorized biopsy sampling) from long-finned pilot whales
(301) 427–8401; fax (301) 713–0376. to support the NMFS research on these (Globicephala melas; 17278) and
Written comments on this application species. scalloped hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna
should be submitted to the Chief, In compliance with the National lewinia; 17557) for scientific research
Permits and Conservation Division, at Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 had been submitted by the above-named
the address listed above. Comments may U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial applicants. The requested permit
also be submitted by facsimile to (301) determination has been made that the amendments have been issued under
713–0376, or by email to activities proposed are categorically the authority of the Marine Mammal
NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Please excluded from the requirement to Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16
include the File No. 14450 in the subject prepare an environmental assessment or U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the regulations
line of the email comment. governing the taking and importing of
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
environmental impact statement.
Those individuals requesting a public marine mammals (50 CFR part 216), the
hearing should submit a written request Concurrent with the publication of Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
to the Chief, Permits and Conservation this notice in the Federal Register, amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.),
Division at the address listed above. The NMFS is forwarding copies of the and the regulations governing the
request should set forth the specific amendment requests to the Marine taking, importing, and exporting of
reasons why a hearing on this Mammal Commission and its endangered and threatened species (50
application would be appropriate. Committee of Scientific Advisors. CFR parts 222–226), as applicable.
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![39412 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 131 / Thursday, July 9, 2015 / Notices
Permit No. 17278 authorizes Dr. Shine the examination of patent applications independently performed concurrent
to import and receive parts from in both offices. In the pilot program, searches, increases the efficiency and
subsistence-collected long-finned pilot each office will concurrently conduct a quality of patent examination. This
whales (Globicephala melas) archived at prior art search for its corresponding exchange of search reports would occur
the Faroese Museum of Natural History, counterpart application. The search prior to making determinations
Faroe Islands. The permit, as amended, report from each office will then be regarding patentability. Work sharing
increases the number of samples exchanged between offices before either benefits applicants by promoting
authorized to be imported from 15 to office issues a communication compact prosecution, reducing
100 animals annually, as well as concerning patentability to the pendency, and supporting patent
authorization to conduct analyses of applicant. As a result of this exchange quality by reducing the likelihood of
chlorinated and fluorinated organic of search reports, the examiners in both inconsistencies in patentability
chemicals using the same samples. offices may have a more comprehensive determinations (not predicated upon
Permit No. 17557 authorizes the set of references before them when differences in national patent laws)
NMFS Forensics Office to receive, making an initial patentability between IP offices when considering
import, export, transfer, archive, and determination. Each office will accord corresponding counterpart applications.
conduct analyses on marine mammal special status to its counterpart Currently, an application filed in the
and ESA-listed species parts under application to first action. First Action USPTO with a claim of foreign priority
NMFS jurisdiction. The permit has been Interview (FAI) pilot program may have a search report and art cited
amended to include scalloped procedures will be applied during the by the foreign office in the priority
hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna lewinia) examination of the U.S. application and application provided to applicant
recently listed under the ESA. make the Korean search report of record during the U.S. application’s pendency.
In compliance with the National concurrently with the issuance of a Pre- After review of the search report and
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 Interview Communication. cited art, an applicant may submit an
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), a final DATES: Effective Date: September 1, Information Disclosure Statement (IDS)
determination has been made that the 2015. in the U.S. application to provide the
activity proposed is categorically Duration: Under the United States- information to the USPTO. Often this
excluded from the requirement to Korean Collaboration Pilot (US–KR CSP) submission occurs after examination on
prepare an environmental assessment or program, the USPTO and KIPO will the merits is already underway in the
environmental impact statement. accept petitions to participate for two U.S. application. Upon evaluation of the
As required by the ESA, issuance of years from its effective date. During the search report and cited art, the U.S.
the permit amendment (Permit No. pilot program, each office will be examiner may determine that the art
17557–01) was based on a finding that limited to granting 400 petitions. The cited by the foreign office is relevant to
such permit: (1) Was applied for in good offices may extend the pilot program patentability and merits further
faith; (2) will not operate to the (with or without modification) for an examination before making a final
disadvantage of such endangered additional amount of time, if necessary. determination on patentability. The
species; and (3) is consistent with the Both offices reserve the right to delay caused by further examination
purposes and policies set forth in terminate the pilot program at any time. results in additional costs to an
section 2 of the ESA. applicant and the USPTO that could
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dated: June 26, 2015.
have been avoided if the U.S. examiner
Daniel Hunter, Director of International
was in possession of the foreign office’s
Julia Harrison, Work Sharing, Planning, and search results before commencing
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Implementation, Office of International examination of the application.
Office of Protected Resources, National Patent Cooperation, by telephone at Furthermore, in light of the various
Marine Fisheries Service. 571–272–8050 regarding the handling of expedited examination programs
[FR Doc. 2015–16781 Filed 7–8–15; 8:45 am] any specific application participating in currently in place, the potential exists
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P the pilot. Any questions concerning this that a U.S. application may reach final
notice may be directed to Joseph Weiss, disposition before an applicant is in
Senior Legal Advisor, Office of Patent receipt of a foreign office’s search
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Legal Administration, by phone (571) report. Work sharing between
272–7759. Any inquiries regarding this intellectual Property (IP) offices in the
Patent and Trademark Office pilot program can be emailed to csp@ form of an exchange of search reports
[Docket No.: PTO–P–2015–0026] uspto.gov. may increase efficiency and promote
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: patent examination quality by providing
United States Patent and Trademark
the examiner with both offices’ search
Office and Korean Intellectual Property I. Background
reports when examination commences.
Office Collaborative Search Pilot The USPTO is continually looking for In order to study the benefits of the
Program ways to improve the quality of issued exchange of search reports between
AGENCY: United States Patent and patents and to promote work sharing offices, current USPTO examination
Trademark Office, Commerce. between other Intellectual Property (IP) practice would need to be modified to
ACTION: Notice. Offices throughout the world. The conduct a search and generate a search
USPTO has launched several work report, without issuance of an Office
SUMMARY: The United States Patent and sharing pilot programs in recent years
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
action. The U.S. application also would
Trademark Office (USPTO) is initiating (e.g., numerous Patent Prosecution need to be ‘‘made special’’ pursuant to
a joint Work Sharing Pilot Program with Highway Pilot Programs). In furtherance USPTO procedures to ensure that it
the Korean Intellectual Patent Office of promoting interoffice work sharing, could be contemporaneously searched
(KIPO) to study whether the exchange of the USPTO and KIPO will cooperate in with its corresponding counterpart
search reports between offices for a study to determine whether work application.
corresponding counterpart applications sharing between IP offices, in the form The USPTO is using the First Action
improves patent quality and facilitates of exchanging the results from Interview Pilot Program (FAI) in this
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Document Created: 2018-02-23 09:14:21
Document Modified: 2018-02-23 09:14:21
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice; issuance of permit amendments. | |
| Contact | Jennifer Skidmore, Amy Sloan, or Malcolm Mohead, (301) 427-8401. | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 39411 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XD82 |
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