[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 145 (Thursday, July 28, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45232-45233]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-19124]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XA597
Marine Mammals; File No. 16443
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for permit.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that David Honig, Nicholas School of
the Environment, Duke University Marine Laboratory, 135 Marine Lab
Road, Beaufort, NC 28516, has applied in due form for a permit to
collect, receive, import, export, possess, and conduct analyses marine
mammal specimens for scientific research.
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or
before August 29, 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 home
page, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File No. 16433
from the list of available applications.
These documents are also available upon written request or by
appointment in the following office(s):
Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected
Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD
20910; phone (301) 427-8401; fax (301) 713-0376; 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. 16433 in the subject line of the e-mail comment.
Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a
written request to the Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education
Division at the address listed
[[Page 45233]]
above. The request should set forth the specific reasons why a hearing
on this application would be appropriate.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura Morse or Jennifer Skidmore,
(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. 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.), and the regulations
governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and
threatened species (50 CFR 222-226).
The objectives of this research are to study the ecological
importance of whales and characterize the impacts of whaling on animals
nutritionally dependent on sunken whale remains in the Antarctic.
Research will involve collection, import, export, possession, and
analyses of bones of sperm (Physeter macrocephalus) and minke
(Balaenoptera acutorostrata) whales which originated from Sweden and
Chile. Collection would involve retrieval of a lander on which the
whale bones have been placed on the bottom of the Weddell Sea,
Antarctica by foreign researchers and under other authorizations. Bones
would be imported into the U.S. for analyses. No live animals would be
harassed or taken, lethally or otherwise, under the permit. The permit
is requested for a five-year period.
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 this application to the Marine
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.
Dated: July 22, 2011.
P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits,
Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-19124 Filed 7-27-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P