[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 95 (Tuesday, May 17, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28421-28422]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-12056]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA386


Marine Mammals; File No. 15646

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 Rebecca Dickhut, Ph.D., Virginia 
Institute of Marine Science, P.O. Box 1346, Route 1208 Greate Road, 
Gloucester Point, VA 23062, has applied in due form for a permit to 
import marine mammal parts for scientific research.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or 
before June 16, 2011.

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. 15646 from the list of available applications.
    These documents are also available upon written request or by 
appointment in the following offices: Permits, Conservation and 
Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West 
Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone (301) 713-2289; fax 
(301) 713-0376; Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 
4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4213; phone (562) 980-4001; fax (562) 980-
4018; and Southeast Region, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint 
Petersburg, Florida 33701; phone (727) 824-5312; fax (727) 824-5309.
    Written comments on this application should be submitted to the 
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, at the address 
listed above. Comments may also be submitted by facsimile to (301) 713-
0376, or by e-mail to [email protected]. Please include File 
No. 15646 in the subject line of the e-mail comment.

[[Page 28422]]

    Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a 
written request to the Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education 
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: Amy Sloan or Laura Morse, (301) 713-
2289.

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.), and the regulations governing the 
taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    The objective of the proposed research is to use chemical signals 
to provide insight into the dietary preferences and feeding ecology of 
Antarctic marine mammals by analyzing seal and whale samples for 
persistent organic pollutants, mercury, and stable isotopes. The 
following archived samples will be imported from the Swedish Museum of 
Natural History: fur, blood, and fat biopsies from up to 300 crabeater 
seals (Lobodon carcinophaga), 200 Weddell seals (Leptonychotes 
weddellii), 50 Ross seals (Ommatophoca Rossii), 25 leopard seals 
(Hydrurga leptonyx), and 20 killer whales (Orcinus orca) that were 
collected in Antarctica in 1987-1988, 2008-2009, and 2010-2011. The 
requested duration of the import permit is 5 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.

    Dated: May 11, 2011.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-12056 Filed 5-16-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P