[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 93 (Friday, May 13, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29846-29847]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-11311]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XE599
Marine Mammals; File No. 19638
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Paul Ponganis, Ph.D., University
of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, has applied in due form
for a permit to conduct research on California sea lions (Zalophus
californianus).
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or
before June 13, 2016.
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
(APPS) home page, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File
No. 19638 from the list of available applications.
These documents are also available 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.
Written comments on this application should be submitted to the
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, at the address listed above.
Comments may also be submitted by facsimile to (301) 713-0376, or by
email to [email protected]. Please include the File No. in the
subject line of the email comment.
Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a
written request to the Chief, Permits and Conservation Division at the
address listed above. The request should set forth the specific reasons
why a hearing on this application would be appropriate.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sara Young or Amy Sloan, (301) 427-
8401.
[[Page 29847]]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is requested under the
authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended
(MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) and the regulations governing the taking
and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
The purpose of this research is to determine the role of blood
oxygen store depletion in the dive behavior and foraging ecology of
California sea lions. This research would help determine the ability of
these animals to adapt to environmental change. Over the course of five
years, up to 70 lactating females would be captured, flipper tagged,
anesthetized, and equipped with a venous or arterial blood oxygen
recorder, a velocity-acceleration-depth recorder, kinematic recorders,
intravascular lactate sensor, or intravascular thermistor probe during
foraging trips to sea. Animals would be recaptured after the foraging
trip to remove the recorders. The pups of the females would also be
captured and marked for ID purposes. Research would occur on San
Nicolas Island off the coast of California. Annually, up to 4,000
California sea lions, 100 harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), 200 northern
elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris), and 30 northern fur seals
(Callorhinus ursinus) may be incidentally harassed during research. A
limited number of California sea lion mortalities (one per year) are
requested. The permit would be valid for five years.
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 the application to the Marine
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.
Dated: May 10, 2016.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-11311 Filed 5-12-16; 8:45 am]
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