[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 121 (Monday, June 24, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37796-37797]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-14972]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XC554


Marine Mammals; File No. 17952

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 Daniel 
P. Costa, Ph.D., Department of Biology and Institute of Marine 
Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064 to conduct 
scientific research on California sea lions (Zalophus californianus).

ADDRESSES: The permit and related documents are available for review 
upon written request or by appointment in the following offices:
    Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; 
phone (301) 427-8401; fax (301) 713-0376;
    Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., BIN C15700, Bldg. 
1, Seattle, WA 98115-0700; phone (206) 526-6150; fax (206) 526-6426; 
and
    Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long 
Beach, CA 90802-4213; phone (562) 980-4001; fax (562) 980-4018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colette Cairns or Amy Sloan, (301) 
427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 13, 2013, notice was published in 
the Federal Register (78 FR 15933) that a request for a permit to 
conduct research on the species identified above 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.), and the regulations governing the taking and 
importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    The permit authorizes Dr. Costa to continue long-term research on 
California sea lions in California studying their foraging, diving, 
energetics, food habits, and at sea distribution. Dr. Costa is 
authorized to capture, sample, tag and release California sea lion 
pups, juveniles, and adults. The permit authorizes Dr. Costa to 
recapture tagged California sea lions throughout their U.S. range. 
Harassment of California sea lions, harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), and 
northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) annually

[[Page 37797]]

incidental to research activities is authorized. Unintentional 
research-related mortality of up to 20 California sea lions over the 
course of the permit is authorized. Import and export of pinniped 
samples is authorized. The permit expires June 7, 2018.
    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.

    Dated: June 19, 2013.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-14972 Filed 6-21-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P