SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The subject permit is requested 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 (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 research permit to investigate population status and trends, demographics, health, disease, and foraging ecology of northern fur seals. Northern fur seals may be taken annually from the Eastern Pacific stock in Alaska, including by capture and handle, harassment, unintentional disturbance, ground and aerial surveys, observation, photograph/video, capture/handling, and collection of scat/spew. Samples may be salvaged from pinnipeds found dead, received from subsistence harvested animals, and exported for analysis. During capture and handling, animals may receive drug administration, external instruments, marks, biological sampling, measured and weighed. Up to 4 unintentional mortalities of northern fur seals annually, not to exceed 13 over the life of the permit, are also requested. Steller sea lions ( Eumetopias jubatus) from the endangered western Distinct Population Segment and harbor seals ( Phoca vitulina) may be unintentionally disturbed annually during research.

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.

91 FR 29118