Notice is hereby given that Seth Newsome, Ph.D., Department of Biology, MSC03-2020, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131-0001, has applied in due form for a...
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION:
Notice; receipt of application.
SUMMARY:
Notice is hereby given that Seth Newsome, Ph.D., Department of Biology, MSC03-2020, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131-0001, has applied in due form for a permit to import, export, and receive marine mammal parts for scientific research.
DATES:
Written comments must be received on or before October 26, 2026.
ADDRESSES:
The application and related documents are available for review upon written request via email to
NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov.
Written comments on this application should be submitted via email to
NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov.
Please include “File No. 29859” in the subject line of the email comment.
Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a written request via email to
NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov.
The request should set forth the specific reasons why a hearing on this application would be appropriate.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jennifer Skidmore or Shasta McClenahan, Ph.D., (301) 427-8401.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The subject permit is requested under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361et 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. 1531et 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. 1151et seq.).
The applicant proposes to receive, import, and export parts from up to 25 individual cetaceans and 25 individual pinnipeds (excluding walrus), annually. Sources of foreign and domestic parts may include animals in foreign countries stranded alive or dead or that died during rehabilitation, animals killed incidental to legal commercial fishing operations, or samples from other authorized persons or collections. Parts would be used for isotope analysis
( printed page 60938)
to study foraging distribution. The permit would be valid for 10 years from the date of issuance.
In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321et 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 22, 2026.
Larissa Plants,
Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
16 U.S.C. 1361
50 CFR part 216