[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 198 (Thursday, October 13, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63609-63610]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-26497]


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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; issuance of permit.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that a permit has been issued to David 
Honig, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University Marine 
Laboratory, 135 Marine Lab Road, Beaufort, NC 28516 to collect, 
receive, import, export, possess, and conduct analyses on marine mammal 
specimens for scientific research.

ADDRESSES: The permit and related documents are available for review 
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)427-8401; fax (301)713-0376; and
    Southeast Region, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, FL 
33701; phone (727)824-5312; fax (727)824-5309.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura Morse or Jennifer Skidmore, 
(301) 427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 28, 2011 notice was published in the 
Federal Register (76 FR 45232) that a request for a permit to collect 
and import specimens for scientific research had been submitted by the 
above-named applicant. The requested permit has been issued 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 (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and the 
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of 
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226).
    The permit authorizes collection, import, export, possession, and 
analyses of bones of sperm (Physeter macrocephalus) and minke 
(Balaenoptera acutorostrata) whales which originated from Sweden and 
Chile. Collection will 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

[[Page 63610]]

authorizations. Bones would be imported into the U.S. for analyses. No 
live animal takes are authorized and no incidental harassment of 
animals would occur. The permit is valid for five years from the date 
of issuance.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), a final determination has been made that the 
activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to 
prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.
    As required by the ESA, issuance of this permit was based on a 
finding that such permit: (1) Was applied for in good faith; (2) will 
not operate to the disadvantage of such endangered species; and (3) is 
consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the 
ESA.

    Dated: October 7, 2011.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-26497 Filed 10-12-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P