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 Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), the regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226), and the Fur Seal Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).

The applicant requests a permit to receive, import, and export samples of marine mammal parts collected legally from any species of cetaceans and pinnipeds, except the walrus, for scientific research. The proposed research is intended to maximize the biological information gained from each sample and is expected to result in an improved understanding of the taxonomy, genetic diversity, population structure, abundance, and individual movement of marine mammals. The anticipated U.S. and foreign sources of samples include the following: Animals in captivity (samples taken during routine husbandry procedures or under separate authorization); animals in foreign countries stranded alive or dead or that died during rehabilitation; animals killed during legal subsistence hunting; animals killed incidental to legal commercial fishing operations; and samples from other authorized persons or collections. The total number of samples that will be received, imported, or exported will not exceed 5,000 individual cetaceans and 5,000 individual pinnipeds, annually. The requested period of the permit is five 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.