Notice is hereby given that NMFS' Southwest Fisheries Science Center, 8901 La Jolla Shores Dr., La Jolla, CA 92037 (Responsible Party: Douglas Krause, Ph.D.), has applied in due...
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION:
Notice; receipt of application.
SUMMARY:
Notice is hereby given that NMFS' Southwest Fisheries Science Center, 8901 La Jolla Shores Dr., La Jolla, CA 92037 (Responsible Party: Douglas Krause, Ph.D.), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on pinnipeds in the Antarctic peninsula region.
DATES:
Written comments must be received on or before October 28, 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. 29889 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:
Sara Young 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.) and the regulations governing the taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
The applicant proposes to take six pinniped species in the Antarctic Peninsula region, primarily at Cape Shirreff, Livingston Island, as part of a long-term ecosystem monitoring and research program established in 1986. The six species are: Antarctic fur seals (
Arctocephalus gazella), southern elephant seals (
Mirounga leonina), crabeater seals (
Lobodon carcinophaga), leopard seals (
Hydrurga leptonyx), Ross seals (
Ommatophoca rossii), and Weddell seals (
Leptonychotes weddellii). 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 to capture and handle Antarctic fur seals, leopard seals, and Weddell seals. Research on captured animals could include administering drugs or other substances, capture and restraint, external and internal instrumentation, other intrusive sampling, and marking. Additional Antarctic fur seals, leopard seals, and Weddell seals, as well as southern elephant seals, crabeater seals, and Ross seals would be taken annually by harassment during aerial and ground surveys, including behavioral observations, photo-identification, and use of uncrewed aircraft systems. The applicant has requested an annual mortality allowance of: two Antarctic fur seal adults or juveniles; five Antarctic fur seal pups; two leopard seal adults or juveniles; and two Weddell seal adults or juveniles. The research would occur over 10 years.
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 24, 2026.
Larissa Plants,
Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
16 U.S.C. 1361
50 CFR part 216