[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 191 (Friday, October 2, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 59738]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-24975]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE022


Marine Mammals; File No. 19590

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 Terrie 
Williams, Ph.D., University of California at Santa Cruz, Long Marine 
Lab, Center for Ocean Health, 100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, 
to conduct research on captive marine mammals.

ADDRESSES: The permit and related documents are available for review 
upon written request or by appointment in the 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.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 28, 2015, notice was published in 
the Federal Register (80 FR 44938) that a request for a scientific 
research permit 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.), the regulations governing the taking, importing, 
and exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-
226), and the Fur Seal Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et 
seq.).
    The permit authorizes research activities to compare the energetic 
and cardiovascular responses and diving physiology of odontocetes and 
pinnipeds to determine key physiological factors including captive 
bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and temporarily held non-
releasable Hawaiian monk seals (Neomonachus schauinslandi) at Long 
Marine Lab. Additional captive marine mammals may be added through 
cooperative agreements with accredited zoological institutions in the 
U.S. Other species from rehabilitation and stranding programs in the 
U.S. may be added opportunistically. 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: September 15, 2015.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-24975 Filed 10-1-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P