[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] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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