81 FR 66927 - Marine Mammals; File No. 20599

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 189 (September 29, 2016)

Page Range		66927-66928
FR Document		2016-23532

Notice is hereby given that the NMFS Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Antarctic Ecosystem Research Division, La Jolla, California, (Responsible Party: George Watters, Ph.D., Director), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on marine mammals in the Antarctic.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 189 (Thursday, September 29, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 189 (Thursday, September 29, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66927-66928]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-23532]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE908


Marine Mammals; File No. 20599

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 the NMFS Southwest Fisheries 
Science Center, Antarctic Ecosystem Research Division, La Jolla, 
California, (Responsible Party: George Watters, Ph.D., Director), has 
applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on marine mammals 
in the Antarctic.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before October 31, 2016.

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. 20599 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 Amy Sloan, (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 a five-year permit to take Antarctic fur 
seals

[[Page 66928]]

(Arctocephalus gazella), southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina), 
crabeater seals (Lobodon carcinophagus), leopard seals (Hydrurga 
leptonyx), Ross seals (Ommatophoca rossii), and Weddell seals 
(Leptonychotes weddellii) for life history studies and census surveys 
for abundance and distribution of pinnipeds in the South Shetland 
Islands, Antarctica, as part of a long-term ecosystem monitoring 
program established in 1986. The applicant also requests permission to 
import tissue samples collected from any animals captured and from 
salvaged carcasses of any species of pinniped or cetacean found in the 
study area.
    The applicant requests annual capture of: 200 Antarctic fur seal 
adults and juveniles; 600 Antarctic fur seal pups; 50 leopard seal 
adults and juveniles; 50 southern elephant seal adults and juveniles; 
100 southern elephant seal pups; 30 Weddell seal adults and juveniles; 
and 20 Weddell seal pups. Research on captured animals would include 
tissue sampling, attachment of scientific instruments, application of 
marks (flipper tags, hair bleach or dye), morphometric measurement, 
tooth extraction, and stomach content sampling. An additional 23,000 
Antarctic fur seals, 1,100 southern elephant seals, 100 crabeater 
seals, 100 leopard seals, 200 Weddell seals, and 5 Ross seals would be 
taken annually by harassment during aerial and ground surveys, 
including behavioral observations and photo-identification. The 
applicant has requested an annual incidental mortality allowance of: 3 
Antarctic fur seal adults or juveniles; 5 Antarctic fur seal pups; 2 
leopard seal adults or juveniles; 2 southern elephant seal adults or 
juveniles; 2 southern elephant seal pups; 2 Weddell seal adults or 
juveniles; and 2 Weddell seal pups.
    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: September 26, 2016.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-23532 Filed 9-28-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 189 / Thursday, September 29, 2016 / Notices 66927

International Trade Commission Marketable Certificates Purchased From DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Notification Third Parties
In accordance with section 705(d) of
Comment 5: Whether Steamline’s Total National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Sales and Total Export Sales Figures Are Administration
the Act, we will notify the ITC of our
Overstated
determination. In addition, we are RIN 0648–XE908
Comment 6: Whether the Electricity Duty
making available to the ITC all non-
Exemption Provided by the Uttar Gujarat Marine Mammals; File No. 20599
privileged and non-proprietary Vij Company Limited Is a
information relating to this Countervailable Subsidy Program AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
investigation. We will allow the ITC Comment 7: Whether the Department Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
access to all privileged and business Should Countervail Preferential Water Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
proprietary information in our files, Rates Provided by the Gujarat Industrial Commerce.
provided the ITC confirms that it will Development Corporation (‘‘GIDC’’) ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.
not disclose such information, either Under the GIDC Water Supply
publicly or under an administrative Regulation of 1991 SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that
protective order, without the written Comment 8: Whether the Provision of Land the NMFS Southwest Fisheries Science
consent of the Assistant Secretary for for Less Than Adequate Remuneration Center, Antarctic Ecosystem Research
Enforcement and Compliance. (‘‘LTAR’’) Provides a Countervailable Division, La Jolla, California,
Subsidy Recommendation (Responsible Party: George Watters,
Notification Regarding Administrative
Ph.D., Director), has applied in due form
Protective Orders Appendix II for a permit to conduct research on
In the event the ITC issues a final Scope of the Investigation marine mammals in the Antarctic.
negative injury determination, this DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email
notice will serve as the only reminder The merchandise covered by this
comments must be received on or before
to parties subject to an administrative investigation is circular welded austenitic
October 31, 2016.
protective order (‘‘APO’’) of their stainless pressure pipe not greater than 14
inches in outside diameter. References to size ADDRESSES: The application and related
responsibility concerning the documents are available for review by
disposition of proprietary information are in nominal inches and include all
products within tolerances allowed by pipe selecting ‘‘Records Open for Public
disclosed under APO in accordance Comment’’ from the ‘‘Features’’ box on
with 19 CFR 351.305(a)(3). Timely specifications. This merchandise includes,
but is not limited to, the American Society the Applications and Permits for
written notification of the return or Protected Species (APPS) home page,
for Testing and Materials (‘‘ASTM’’) A–312
destruction of APO materials, or https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then
or ASTM A–778 specifications, or
conversion to judicial protective order, selecting File No. 20599 from the list of
comparable domestic or foreign
is hereby requested. Failure to comply available applications.
specifications. ASTM A–358 products are
with the regulations and terms of an These documents are also available
only included when they are produced to
APO is a violation subject to sanction. upon written request or by appointment
meet ASTM A–312 or ASTM A–778
This determination is issued and in the Permits and Conservation
specifications, or comparable domestic or
published pursuant to sections 705(d) Division, Office of Protected Resources,
foreign specifications.
and 777(i) of the Act. NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room
Excluded from the scope of the
Dated: September 22, 2016. investigation are: (1) Welded stainless 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone
Paul Piquado, mechanical tubing, meeting ASTM A–554 or (301) 427–8401; fax (301) 713–0376.
Assistant Secretary, for Enforcement and comparable omestic or foreign specifications; Written comments on this application
Compliance. (2) boiler, heat exchanger, superheater, should be submitted to the Chief,
refining furnace, feedwater heater, and Permits and Conservation Division, at
Appendix I condenser tubing, meeting ASTM A–249, the address listed above. Comments may
List of Topics Discussed in the Issues and ASTM A–688 or comparable domestic or also be submitted by facsimile to (301)
Decision Memorandum foreign specifications; and (3) specialized 713–0376, or by email to
I. Summary tubing, meeting ASTM A–269, ASTM A–270 NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Please
II. Background or comparable domestic or foreign include the File No. in the subject line
III. Scope of the Investigation specifications. of the email comment.
IV. List of Issues The subject imports are normally classified Those individuals requesting a public
V. Subsidies Valuation in subheadings 7306.40.5005, 7306.40.5040, hearing should submit a written request
VI. Use of Facts Otherwise Available and 7306.40.5062, 7306.40.5064, and to the Chief, Permits and Conservation
Adverse Inferences 7306.40.5085 of the Harmonized Tariff Division at the address listed above. The
VII. Analysis of Programs request should set forth the specific
Schedule of the United States (‘‘HTSUS’’).
VIII. Calculation of the All-Others Rate reasons why a hearing on this
IX. Analysis of Comments They may also enter under HTSUS
subheadings 7306.40.1010, 7306.40.1015, application would be appropriate.
Comment 1: Whether the Advance
Authorization Program (‘‘AAP’’) 7306.40.5042, 7306.40.5044, 7306.40.5080, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sara
Provides a Countervailable Subsidy and 7306.40.5090. The HTSUS subheadings Young or Amy Sloan, (301) 427–8401.
Comment 2: Whether the Duty Drawback are provided for convenience and customs SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
(‘‘DDB’’) Program Provides a purposes only; the written description of the subject permit is requested under the
Countervailable Subsidy scope of this investigation is dispositive. authority of the Marine Mammal
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES

Comment 3: Whether the Export Promotion [FR Doc. 2016–23575 Filed 9–28–16; 8:45 am] Protection Act of 1972, as amended
of Capital Goods Scheme (‘‘EPCGS’’)
Provides a Countervailable Subsidy and BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the
Whether the Department Should Use a regulations governing the taking and
Different Denominator for the Benefit importing of marine mammals (50 CFR
Calculation part 216).
Comment 4: Whether the Department The applicant requests a five-year
Should Investigate and Countervail permit to take Antarctic fur seals

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66928 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 189 / Thursday, September 29, 2016 / Notices

(Arctocephalus gazella), southern Dated: September 26, 2016. in waters off Alaska that are under the
elephant seals (Mirounga leonina), Julia Harrison, jurisdiction of the United States. The
crabeater seals (Lobodon Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Pacific SRG advises on marine
carcinophagus), leopard seals (Hydrurga Office of Protected Resources, National mammals that occur in waters off the
leptonyx), Ross seals (Ommatophoca Marine Fisheries Service. U.S. West Coast, Hawaiian Islands, and
rossii), and Weddell seals [FR Doc. 2016–23532 Filed 9–28–16; 8:45 am] the U.S. Territories in the Central and
(Leptonychotes weddellii) for life history BILLING CODE 3510–22–P Western Pacific that are under the
studies and census surveys for jurisdiction of the United States. The
abundance and distribution of Atlantic SRG advises on marine
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE mammals that occur in waters off the
pinnipeds in the South Shetland
Atlantic coast, Gulf of Mexico, and U.S.
Islands, Antarctica, as part of a long- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Territories in the Caribbean that are
term ecosystem monitoring program Administration under the jurisdiction of the United
established in 1986. The applicant also States.
requests permission to import tissue RIN 0648–XE889
SRGs members are highly qualified
samples collected from any animals Nominations to the Marine Mammal individuals with expertise in marine
captured and from salvaged carcasses of Scientific Review Groups mammal biology and ecology,
any species of pinniped or cetacean population dynamics and modeling,
found in the study area. AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries commercial fishing technology and
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and practices, and stocks taken under
The applicant requests annual capture
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), section 101(b) of the MMPA. The SRGs
of: 200 Antarctic fur seal adults and Commerce.
juveniles; 600 Antarctic fur seal pups; provide expert reviews of draft marine
ACTION: Notice; request for nominations. mammal stock assessment reports and
50 leopard seal adults and juveniles; 50
southern elephant seal adults and other information related to the matters
SUMMARY: As required by the Marine
juveniles; 100 southern elephant seal identified in section 117(d)(1) of the
Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), the
MMPA, including:
pups; 30 Weddell seal adults and Secretary of Commerce established three A. Population estimates and the
juveniles; and 20 Weddell seal pups. independent regional scientific review population status and trends of marine
Research on captured animals would groups (SRGs) to provide advice on a mammal stocks;
include tissue sampling, attachment of range of marine mammal science and B. Uncertainties and research needed
scientific instruments, application of management issues. NMFS has regarding stock separation, abundance,
marks (flipper tags, hair bleach or dye), conducted a membership review of the or trends, and factors affecting the
morphometric measurement, tooth Alaska, Atlantic, and Pacific SRGs, and distribution, size, or productivity of the
extraction, and stomach content is soliciting nominations for new stock;
sampling. An additional 23,000 members to fill vacancies and gaps in C. Uncertainties and research needed
Antarctic fur seals, 1,100 southern expertise. Nominees should possess regarding the species, number, ages,
elephant seals, 100 crabeater seals, 100 demonstrable expertise in the areas gender, and reproductive status of
leopard seals, 200 Weddell seals, and 5 specified in this notice, be able to marine mammals;
conduct thorough scientific reviews of D. Research needed to identify
Ross seals would be taken annually by
marine mammal science, and be able to modifications in fishing gear and
harassment during aerial and ground
fulfill the necessary time commitments practices likely to reduce the incidental
surveys, including behavioral
associated with a thorough review of mortality and serious injury of marine
observations and photo-identification. documents and to attend one annual mammals in commercial fishing
The applicant has requested an annual meeting. operations;
incidental mortality allowance of: 3 E. The actual, expected, or potential
Antarctic fur seal adults or juveniles; 5 DATES: Nominations must be received
by October 31, 2016. impacts of habitat destruction,
Antarctic fur seal pups; 2 leopard seal including marine pollution and natural
adults or juveniles; 2 southern elephant ADDRESSES: Nominations can be
emailed to Shannon.Bettridge@ environmental change, on specific
seal adults or juveniles; 2 southern marine mammal species or stocks, and
elephant seal pups; 2 Weddell seal noaa.gov, or mailed to: Chief, Marine
Mammal and Sea Turtle Conservation for strategic stocks, appropriate
adults or juveniles; and 2 Weddell seal conservation or management measures
Division, Office of Protected Resources,
pups. to alleviate any such impacts; and
National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315
In compliance with the National F. Any other issue which the
East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 Secretary or the groups consider
20910–3226, Attn: SRGs.
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial appropriate.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SRG members collectively serve as
determination has been made that the Shannon Bettridge, Office of Protected independent advisors to NMFS and the
activity proposed is categorically Resources, 301–427–8402, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and
excluded from the requirement to Shannon.Bettridge@noaa.gov. provide their expert review and
prepare an environmental assessment or Information about the SRGs is available recommendations through participation
environmental impact statement. at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/sars/ in the SRG. Members attend annual
Concurrent with the publication of group.htm. meetings and undertake activities as
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES

this notice in the Federal Register, SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section independent persons providing
NMFS is forwarding copies of the 117(d) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1386(d)) expertise in their subject areas.
application to the Marine Mammal directs the Secretary of Commerce to Members are not appointed as
Commission and its Committee of establish three independent regional representatives of professional
Scientific Advisors. SRGs to advise the Secretary (authority organizations or particular stakeholder
delegated to NMFS). The Alaska SRG groups, including government entities,
advises on marine mammals that occur and are not permitted to represent or

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Document Created: 2016-09-29 04:14:20
Document Modified: 2016-09-29 04:14:20

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; receipt of application.
Dates		Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or before October 31, 2016.
Contact		Sara Young or Amy Sloan, (301) 427- 8401.
FR Citation		81 FR 66927
RIN Number		0648-XE90

81 FR 66927 - Marine Mammals; File No. 20599

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 189 (September 29, 2016)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration