80_FR_52620 80 FR 52452 - Marine Mammals; File No. 18902

80 FR 52452 - Marine Mammals; File No. 18902

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 168 (August 31, 2015)

Page Range52452-52453
FR Document2015-21392

Notice is hereby given that Colleen Reichmuth, Ph.D., Long Marine Laboratory, University of California at Santa Cruz, 100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on pinnipeds in captivity.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 168 (Monday, August 31, 2015) 
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 168 (Monday, August 31, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52452-52453]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-21392]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD856


Marine Mammals; File No. 18902

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Colleen Reichmuth, Ph.D., Long 
Marine Laboratory, University of California at Santa Cruz, 100 Shaffer 
Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, has applied in due form for a permit to 
conduct research on pinnipeds in captivity.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before September 30, 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. 18902 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. 18902 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 Courtney Smith, (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 conduct comparative psychological and 
physiological studies with captive California sea lions (Zalophus 
californianus), harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), spotted seals (Phoca 
largha), ringed seals (Pusa hispida), and bearded seals (Erignathus 
barbatus) at Long Marine Laboratory (Santa Cruz, CA) and the Alaska 
SeaLife Center (Seward, AK). Up to four individuals per species may be 
studied at both facilities combined over the duration of the permit. 
Animals may participate in daily activities using behaviors established 
through operant conditioning and may refuse participation in an 
activity at any time. For psychological assessments, pinnipeds are 
trained to voluntarily participate in the research on land and in 
water. Controlled sensory cues are used to evaluate sensory and 
cognitive performance with an emphasis on the auditory sense to address 
conservation issues related to ocean noise. Electrophysiological 
methods may be used to monitor passive neuronal responses during 
exposure to similar sounds. Behavioral experiments will test hearing 
sensitivity in the presence or following the cessation of noise to 
determine how exposure to anthropogenic noise may influence the ability 
to detect various sounds.
    The pinnipeds will also participate in physiological assessments to 
study their general biology including growth and development, 
nutritional requirements, health status, and environmental tolerance. 
Open-flow respirometry methods will be used to gather metabolic data 
from animals trained to rest and breathe under a plastic dome. Daily to 
weekly, animals may participate in voluntary physiological procedures 
including weighing, measuring, ultrasound, thermographic imaging, and 
sampling of hair, skin, feces, urine, and naturally shed vibrissae. 
Each month (up to 12 times per year), animals may be fed benign fecal 
markers and blood samples may be obtained. The applicant requests a 5-
year permit.
    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.


[[Page 52453]]


    Dated: August 25, 2015.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-21392 Filed 8-28-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

52452 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 168 / Monday, August 31, 2015 / Notices Hawaii 96720, have been issued minor DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE physiological studies with captive amendments to Scientific Research California sea lions (Zalophus Permit Nos. 14122 and 14585, National Oceanic and Atmospheric californianus), harbor seals (Phoca respectively. Administration vitulina), spotted seals (Phoca largha), RIN 0648–XD856 ringed seals (Pusa hispida), and bearded ADDRESSES: The amendments and seals (Erignathus barbatus) at Long related documents are available for Marine Mammals; File No. 18902 Marine Laboratory (Santa Cruz, CA) and review upon written request or by appointment in the Permits and the Alaska SeaLife Center (Seward, AK). AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Conservation Division, Office of Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Up to four individuals per species may Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East- Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), be studied at both facilities combined West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Commerce. over the duration of the permit. Animals Spring, MD 20910; phone (301) 427– may participate in daily activities using ACTION: Notice; receipt of application. 8401; fax (301) 713–0376. behaviors established through operant SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that conditioning and may refuse FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colleen Reichmuth, Ph.D., Long Marine participation in an activity at any time. Carrie Hubard or Amy Sloan, (301) 427– Laboratory, University of California at For psychological assessments, 8401. Santa Cruz, 100 Shaffer Road, Santa pinnipeds are trained to voluntarily SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Cruz, CA 95060, has applied in due participate in the research on land and requested amendments have been form for a permit to conduct research on in water. Controlled sensory cues are granted under the authority of the pinnipeds in captivity. used to evaluate sensory and cognitive Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email performance with an emphasis on the as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) and comments must be received on or before auditory sense to address conservation the regulations governing the taking and September 30, 2015. issues related to ocean noise. importing of marine mammals (50 CFR ADDRESSES: The application and related Electrophysiological methods may be part 216), the Endangered Species Act of documents are available for review by used to monitor passive neuronal 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 selecting ‘‘Records Open for Public responses during exposure to similar et seq.), and the regulations governing Comment’’ from the ‘‘Features’’ box on sounds. Behavioral experiments will the taking, importing, and exporting of the Applications and Permits for test hearing sensitivity in the presence endangered and threatened species (50 Protected Species (APPS) home page, or following the cessation of noise to CFR parts 222–226). https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then determine how exposure to Permit No. 14122, issued on July 14, selecting File No. 18902 from the list of anthropogenic noise may influence the 2010 (75 FR 43150), authorizes research available applications. ability to detect various sounds. in Alaskan waters through July 31, 2015. These documents are also available upon written request or by appointment The pinnipeds will also participate in The research is focused on humpback physiological assessments to study their (Megaptera novaeangliae), sperm in the Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, general biology including growth and (Physeter macrocephalus), and killer NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room development, nutritional requirements, whales (Orcinus orca) and includes 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone health status, and environmental photo-identification, biopsy sampling, (301) 427–8401; fax (301) 713–0376. tolerance. Open-flow respirometry multiple tag types, and active and Written comments on this application methods will be used to gather passive acoustics. The minor should be submitted to the Chief, metabolic data from animals trained to amendment (No. 14122–01) extends the duration of the permit through July 31, Permits and Conservation Division, at rest and breathe under a plastic dome. 2016, but does not change any other the address listed above. Comments may Daily to weekly, animals may terms or conditions of the permit. also be submitted by facsimile to (301) participate in voluntary physiological 713–0376, or by email to procedures including weighing, Permit No. 14585, issued on July 14, NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Please measuring, ultrasound, thermographic 2010 (75 FR 43150), authorizes research include File No. 18902 in the subject imaging, and sampling of hair, skin, in the Eastern, Western and Central line of the email comment. feces, urine, and naturally shed North Pacific Ocean, primarily Hawaii Those individuals requesting a public vibrissae. Each month (up to 12 times and Alaska, through July 31, 2015. The hearing should submit a written request per year), animals may be fed benign research is focused on humpback to the Chief, Permits and Conservation whales and includes photo- fecal markers and blood samples may be Division at the address listed above. The obtained. The applicant requests a identification, underwater request should set forth the specific videogrammetry, underwater 5-year permit. reasons why a hearing on this videography, passive acoustic application would be appropriate. In compliance with the National recordings, Crittercam studies, and Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: biopsy sampling. The minor amendment U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial Amy Sloan or Courtney Smith, (301) (No. 14585–01) extends the duration of determination has been made that the 427–8401. the permit through July 31, 2016, but activity proposed is categorically SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The does not change any other terms or excluded from the requirement to conditions of the permit. subject permit is requested under the prepare an environmental assessment or authority of the Marine Mammal environmental impact statement. tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Dated: August 25, 2015. Protection Act of 1972, as amended Julia Harrison, (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), and the Concurrent with the publication of Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, regulations governing the taking and this notice in the Federal Register, Office of Protected Resources, National importing of marine mammals (50 CFR NMFS is forwarding copies of the Marine Fisheries Service. part 216). application to the Marine Mammal [FR Doc. 2015–21391 Filed 8–28–15; 8:45 am] The applicant proposes to conduct Commission and its Committee of BILLING CODE 3510–22–P comparative psychological and Scientific Advisors. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:19 Aug 28, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\31AUN1.SGM 31AUN1

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 168 / Monday, August 31, 2015 / Notices 52453 Dated: August 25, 2015. Federal Register (80 FR 36768) that four species group per year, except for those Julia Harrison, requests for permits to receive, import, species specified below) will be Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, and export specimens of marine analyzed, with a focus on the following Office of Protected Resources, National mammals for scientific research had Arctic species: Ringed seal (30 per year), Marine Fisheries Service. been submitted by the above-named bearded seal (10 per year), and narwhal [FR Doc. 2015–21392 Filed 8–28–15; 8:45 am] applicants. The requested permits have (10 per year). No live animals would be BILLING CODE 3510–22–P been issued under the authority of the harassed or taken, lethally or otherwise, Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, under the authorized permit. The permit as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the is valid through August 1, 2020. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE regulations governing the taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR File No. 19497 authorizes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric part 216), the Endangered Species Act of University of Florida to receive, import, Administration 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 and export marine mammal tissue and et seq.), the regulations governing the other specimen materials (e.g., body RIN 0648–XE009 taking, importing, and exporting of fluids) to research the etiologies and Marine Mammals; File Nos. 18722, endangered and threatened species (50 cofactors of emerging marine mammal 18897, 19425, and 19497 CFR parts 222–226), and the Fur Seal infectious diseases, utilizing standard Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 molecular and sequencing approaches. AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries et seq.). Unlimited samples from up to 300 Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Permit No. 18722 authorizes Cornell individual cetaceans and 700 individual Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), University to receive, import, or export pinnipeds (excluding walrus) are Commerce. unlimited samples from up to 2000 authorized to be received, imported, or ACTION: Notice; issuance of permits. pinnipeds (excluding walrus) and 2000 exported annually on an opportunistic cetaceans world-wide. These samples SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that basis. They will be collected by others will be used for genotyping on marine permits have been issued to the under separate existing permits and may mammals including trait mapping, following entities to receive, import, population/ecological studies, and be obtained from the following sources: and export specimens of marine germplasm characterization. No live (1) Animals killed during legal U.S. or mammals for scientific research: animals would be harassed or taken, foreign subsistence harvests; (2) animals Permit No. 18722: Cornell University, lethally or otherwise, under the stranded alive or dead in foreign 157 Biotechnology Building, Ithaca, NY authorized permit. The permit is valid countries; (3) animals that died 14850 [Responsible Party: Sharron through August 10, 2020. incidental to commercial fishing Mitchell, Ph.D.]; Permit No. 18897 authorizes Dr. operations in the U.S. where such taking Permit No. 18897: Kathleen Colegrove to import unlimited is legal (i.e., bycatch); (4) animals that Colegrove, Ph.D., University of Illinois, biological samples from up to 100 died incidental to commercial fishing College of Veterinary Medicine, individual cetaceans and up to 100 operations in foreign countries where Zoological Pathology Program, LUMC individual pinnipeds (except walrus) such taking is legal; (5) animals in Room 0745, Building 101, 2160 South world-wide. All samples (bones and captivity where samples were taken as First Street, Maywood, IL 60153; organ tissue samples) are being a result of routine husbandry Permit No. 19425: Melissa McKinney, imported for diagnostic testing to procedures or under separate permit; Ph.D., University of Connecticut, Center determine the causes of outbreaks or and (6) samples from other authorized for Environmental Sciences and unusual natural mortalities, the ecology researchers or collections in academic, Engineering, 3107 Horsebarn Hill Road, of diseases in free-ranging animals, or federal, state or other institutions U–4210, Storrs, CT 06269; and unexpected mortalities in captive involved in marine mammal research in Permit No. 19497: University of populations. Samples will be from animals found deceased or euthanized the U.S. or abroad. Samples collected Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine, from stranded animals in the U.S. and Department of Infectious Diseases and in nature, collected opportunistically during the animals’ capture by other received under separate authorization Pathology V3–100, VAB, PO BOX researchers possessing permits for such may be exported and re-imported. No 110880, Gainesville, FL, 32611–0880 activities, or legally held in captivity takes of live animals are requested or [Responsible Party: Thomas B. Waltzek, (including those held for rehabilitation) would be permitted. The permit is valid D.V.M., Ph.D.]. outside the U.S. No live animals would through July 31, 2020. ADDRESSES: The permits and related be harassed or taken, lethally or In compliance with the National documents are available for review otherwise, under the authorized permit. Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 upon written request or by appointment The permit is valid through August 10, U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), a final in the Permits and Conservation 2020. determination has been made that the Division, Office of Protected Resources, Permit No. 19425 authorizes Dr. NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room activities proposed are categorically McKinney to study marine mammal excluded from the requirement to 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone contaminant levels, specifically using (301) 427–8401; fax (301) 713–0376. prepare an environmental assessment or fatty acid and stable isotopes to examine FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The environmental impact statement. diets and contaminant loads and how following Analysts at (301) 427–8401: they are affected by climate change. As required by the ESA, issuance of Rosa L. González (Permit No. 19497), these permits was based on a finding tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Tissue samples from cetaceans and Carrie Hubard (Permit No. 19425), pinnipeds may come from remote that such permits: (1) Were applied for Brendan Hurley (Permit Nos. 18722 and biopsy sampling, captured animals, and in good faith; (2) will not operate to the 18897) and Jennifer Skidmore (Permit animals collected during subsistence disadvantage of such endangered Nos. 18722, 18897, 19425, and 19497). harvests and may originate in the species; and (3) are consistent with the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June United States, Canada, and Greenland/ purposes and policies set forth in 26, 2015, notice was published in the Denmark. Samples (up to 50 of each section 2 of the ESA. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:19 Aug 28, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\31AUN1.SGM 31AUN1


Document Created: 2018-02-23 11:04:38
Document Modified: 2018-02-23 11:04:38
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 30, 2015.
ContactAmy Sloan or Courtney Smith, (301) 427-8401.
FR Citation80 FR 52452 
RIN Number0648-XD85
2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR