80_FR_52422 80 FR 52255 - Marine Mammals; File No. 19439

80 FR 52255 - Marine Mammals; File No. 19439

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 167 (August 28, 2015)

Page Range52255-52256
FR Document2015-21393

Notice is hereby given that Daniel P. Costa, Ph.D., University of California at Santa Cruz, Long Marine Laboratory, 100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on pinnipeds in Antarctica.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 167 (Friday, August 28, 2015) 
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 167 (Friday, August 28, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52255-52256]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-21393]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE129


Marine Mammals; File No. 19439

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 Daniel P. Costa, Ph.D., University 
of California at Santa Cruz, Long Marine Laboratory, 100 Shaffer Road, 
Santa Cruz, CA 95064, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct 
research on pinnipeds in Antarctica.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before September 28, 2015.

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. 19439 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 File No. 19439 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: Amy Sloan or Brendan Hurley, (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 purpose of this research is to understand the foraging ecology,

[[Page 52256]]

physiology, habitat use, and diving behavior of Southern Ocean 
pinnipeds and the factors that affect and constrain their foraging and 
at-sea behaviors and how these ecological and physiological factors (1) 
vary in space and time, (2) influence and constrain the behavior of 
these species, (3) are impacted by environmental change, and (4) 
compare with other marine mammal species. To accomplish these 
objectives, the applicant proposes to capture and sample leopard 
(Hydrurga leptonyx), crabeater (Lobodon carcinophaga), southern 
elephant (Mirounga leonina), Ross (Ommatophoca rossii), Weddell 
(Leptonychotes weddellii), and Antarctic fur (Arctocephalus gazella) 
seals throughout their range for five years. Researchers may capture up 
to 40 animals per species per year at sites throughout their range to 
collect tissue samples, morphometrics, and metabolic and physiological 
measurements, apply identifying marks, and attach instruments; as well 
as an additional 50 pups of each species for marking, morphometrics, 
and minimal sample collection. An additional 100 each of crabeater 
seals, leopard seals, and Ross seals, 500 southern elephant seals, and 
1000 each of Weddell seals and Antarctic fur seals may be taken 
annually via Level B harassment by incidental disturbance during 
captures, opportunistic sample collection, and resights. Unintentional 
mortality or serious injury of up to four animals per species annually 
not to exceed ten animals per species over five years is requested. 
Blood and tissue samples would be imported from the Southern Ocean and 
Antarctica to the United States and exported world-wide for analyses.
    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: August 25, 2015.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-21393 Filed 8-27-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 167 / Friday, August 28, 2015 / Notices 52255 develop recommendations regarding the Council address: New England DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE selection of a preferred alternative. They Fishery Management Council, 50 Water will also discuss other business as Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950. National Oceanic and Atmospheric necessary. Administration FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Although non-emergency issues not Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, RIN 0648–XE129 contained in this agenda may come New England Fishery Management before this group for discussion, those Council; telephone: (978) 465–0492. Marine Mammals; File No. 19439 issues may not be the subject of formal SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries action during the meeting. Action will Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and be restricted to those issues specifically Agenda Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), listed in this notice and any issues The committee will receive a report Commerce. arising after publication of this notice from the September 14, 2015 Herring ACTION: Notice; receipt of application. that require emergency action under section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Advisory Panel (AP) meeting and SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Act, provided the public has been consider the Herring AP Daniel P. Costa, Ph.D., University of notified of the Council’s intent to take recommendations. They also plan to California at Santa Cruz, Long Marine final action to address the emergency. review the Draft 2016–18 Atlantic Laboratory, 100 Shaffer Road, Santa Herring Fishery Specifications Package Cruz, CA 95064, has applied in due Special Accommodations and develop committee form for a permit to conduct research on This meeting is physically accessible recommendations regarding the pinnipeds in Antarctica. to people with disabilities. Requests for selection of final 2016–18 Atlantic DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email sign language interpretation or other herring fishery specifications comments must be received on or before auxiliary aids should be directed to (anticipated at the September 2015 September 28, 2015. Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, at Council meeting). The committee will ADDRESSES: The application and related (978) 465–0492, at least 5 days prior to also review/discuss the Draft documents are available for review by the meeting date. Environmental Assessment for the selecting ‘‘Records Open for Public Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. NMFS-led omnibus Industry-Funded Comment’’ from the ‘‘Features’’ box on Monitoring (IFM) Amendment and Dated: August 25, 2015. the Applications and Permits for develop recommendations regarding the Tracey L. Thompson, Protected Species (APPS) home page, selection of a Preferred Alternative for Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then the options to establish IFM in the Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. selecting File No. 19439 from the list of Atlantic herring fishery. Additionally, available applications. [FR Doc. 2015–21350 Filed 8–27–15; 8:45 am] the committee will provide an These documents are also available BILLING CODE 3510–22–P opportunity for the public to submit upon written request or by appointment scoping comments on Amendment 8 to in the Permits and Conservation the Atlantic Herring Fishery Division, Office of Protected Resources, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Management Plan. They will also NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room discuss other business as necessary. 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Although non-emergency issues not (301) 427–8401; fax (301) 713–0376. contained in this agenda may come Written comments on this application before this group for discussion, those should be submitted to the Chief, RIN 0648–XE138 issues may not be the subject of formal Permits and Conservation Division, at action during the meeting. Action will the address listed above. Comments may New England Fishery Management be restricted to those issues specifically also be submitted by facsimile to (301) Council; Public Meeting listed in this notice and any issues 713–0376, or by email to AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries arising after publication of this notice NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Please Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and that require emergency action under include File No. 19439 in the subject Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens line of the email comment. Commerce. Act, provided the public has been Those individuals requesting a public notified of the Council’s intent to take hearing should submit a written request ACTION: Notice; public meeting. final action to address the emergency. to the Chief, Permits and Conservation SUMMARY: The New England Fishery Division at the address listed above. The Special Accommodations request should set forth the specific Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its This meeting is physically accessible reasons why a hearing on this Herring Committee to consider actions to people with disabilities. Requests for application would be appropriate. affecting New England fisheries in the sign language interpretation or other FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: exclusive economic zone (EEZ). auxiliary aids should be directed to Amy Sloan or Brendan Hurley, (301) Recommendations from this group will Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, at 427–8401. be brought to the full Council for formal (978) 465–0492, at least 5 days prior to SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The consideration and action, if appropriate. the meeting date. subject permit is requested under the DATES: The meeting will be held on Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. authority of the Marine Mammal Lhorne on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Tuesday, September 15, 2015 at 9:30 Protection Act of 1972, as amended Dated: August 25, 2015. (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), and the a.m. Tracey L. Thompson, regulations governing the taking and ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable importing of marine mammals (50 CFR the Hilton Garden Inn, 100 Boardman Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. part 216). Street, Boston, MA 02128; phone: (617) [FR Doc. 2015–21351 Filed 8–27–15; 8:45 am] The purpose of this research is to 567–6789; fax: (617) 561–0798. BILLING CODE 3510–22–P understand the foraging ecology, VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:19 Aug 27, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\28AUN1.SGM 28AUN1

52256 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 167 / Friday, August 28, 2015 / Notices physiology, habitat use, and diving DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE submit confidential business behavior of Southern Ocean pinnipeds information or otherwise sensitive or and the factors that affect and constrain National Oceanic and Atmospheric protected information. their foraging and at-sea behaviors and Administration FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ben how these ecological and physiological RIN 0648–XE103 Laws, Office of Protected Resources, factors (1) vary in space and time, (2) NMFS, (301) 427–8401. influence and constrain the behavior of Taking and Importing Marine SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: these species, (3) are impacted by Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Availability environmental change, and (4) compare Incidental to Fisheries Research with other marine mammal species. To An electronic copy of the NWFSC’s accomplish these objectives, the AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries application may be obtained by visiting applicant proposes to capture and Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and the Internet at: www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/ sample leopard (Hydrurga leptonyx), Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), permits/incidental/research.htm. The crabeater (Lobodon carcinophaga), Commerce. NWFSC is concurrently releasing a draft southern elephant (Mirounga leonina), ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for Environmental Assessment, prepared Ross (Ommatophoca rossii), Weddell letter of authorization; request for pursuant to requirements of the (Leptonychotes weddellii), and Antarctic comments and information. National Environmental Policy Act, for fur (Arctocephalus gazella) seals the conduct of their fisheries research. SUMMARY: NMFS’ Office of Protected A copy of the draft EA, which would throughout their range for five years. Resources has received a request from also support our proposed rulemaking Researchers may capture up to 40 the NMFS Northwest Fisheries Science under the MMPA, is available at the animals per species per year at sites Center (NWFSC) for authorization to same Web site. throughout their range to collect tissue take small numbers of marine mammals samples, morphometrics, and metabolic incidental to conducting fisheries Background and physiological measurements, apply research, over the course of five years Section 101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA (16 identifying marks, and attach from the date of issuance. Pursuant to U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) directs the Secretary instruments; as well as an additional 50 regulations implementing the Marine of Commerce (Secretary) to allow, upon pups of each species for marking, Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS request, the incidental, but not morphometrics, and minimal sample is announcing receipt of the NWFSC’s intentional, taking of small numbers of collection. An additional 100 each of request for the development and marine mammals by U.S. citizens who crabeater seals, leopard seals, and Ross implementation of regulations engage in a specified activity (other than seals, 500 southern elephant seals, and governing the incidental taking of commercial fishing) if certain findings 1000 each of Weddell seals and marine mammals. NMFS invites the are made and regulations are issued. Antarctic fur seals may be taken public to provide information, Incidental taking shall be allowed if annually via Level B harassment by suggestions, and comments on the NMFS finds that the taking will have a incidental disturbance during captures, NWFSC’s application and request. negligible impact on the species or opportunistic sample collection, and stock(s) affected and will not have an DATES: Comments and information must resights. Unintentional mortality or unmitigable adverse impact on the be received no later than September 28, serious injury of up to four animals per availability of the species or stock(s) for 2015. species annually not to exceed ten taking for subsistence uses, and if the animals per species over five years is ADDRESSES: Comments on the permissible methods of taking and requested. Blood and tissue samples applications should be addressed to requirements pertaining to the would be imported from the Southern Jolie Harrison, Chief, Permits and mitigation, monitoring and reporting of Ocean and Antarctica to the United Conservation Division, Office of such taking are set forth. States and exported world-wide for Protected Resources, National Marine NMFS has defined ‘‘negligible analyses. Fisheries Service. Physical comments impact’’ in 50 CFR 216.103 as ‘‘an should be sent to 1315 East-West impact resulting from the specified In compliance with the National Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 and activity that cannot be reasonably Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 electronic comments should be sent to expected to, and is not reasonably likely U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial ITP.Laws@noaa.gov. to, adversely affect the species or stock determination has been made that the Instructions: NMFS is not responsible through effects on annual rates of activity proposed is categorically for comments sent by any other method, recruitment or survival.’’ Except with excluded from the requirement to to any other address or individual, or respect to certain activities not pertinent prepare an environmental assessment or received after the end of the comment here, the MMPA defines ‘‘harassment’’ environmental impact statement. period. Comments received as: ‘‘Any act of pursuit, torment, or Concurrent with the publication of electronically, including all annoyance which (i) has the potential to this notice in the Federal Register, attachments, must not exceed a 25- injure a marine mammal or marine NMFS is forwarding copies of the megabyte file size. Attachments to mammal stock in the wild [Level A application to the Marine Mammal electronic comments will be accepted in harassment]; or (ii) has the potential to Commission and its Committee of Microsoft Word or Excel or Adobe PDF disturb a marine mammal or marine Scientific Advisors. file formats only. All comments mammal stock in the wild by causing received are a part of the public record disruption of behavioral patterns, Dated: August 25, 2015. Lhorne on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES and will generally be posted to the including, but not limited to, migration, Julia Harrison, Internet at www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/ breathing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, permits/incidental/research.htm sheltering [Level B harassment].’’ Office of Protected Resources, National without change. All personal identifying Marine Fisheries Service. information (e.g., name, address) Summary of Request [FR Doc. 2015–21393 Filed 8–27–15; 8:45 am] voluntarily submitted by the commenter On August 10, 2015, NMFS received BILLING CODE 3510–22–P may be publicly accessible. Do not an application from the NWFSC VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:19 Aug 27, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\28AUN1.SGM 28AUN1


Document Created: 2015-12-15 11:05:08
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 11:05:08
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice; receipt of application.
DatesWritten, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or before September 28, 2015.
ContactAmy Sloan or Brendan Hurley, (301) 427-8401.
FR Citation80 FR 52255 
RIN Number0648-XE12
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