Marine Mammals; File No. 1032-1917, 51621-51622 [E7-17777]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 174 / Monday, September 10, 2007 / Notices describe additional DPS structure beyond the Georgia Basin region. Status Review for Lynn Canal Pacific Herring Subsequent to publishing this finding, we will commence a status review to determine whether the petitioned action is warranted. To ensure that the review is complete and is based on the best available scientific and commercial data, we request any available information regarding the taxonomy and status of the Lynn Canal stock of Pacific herring, its habitat, biology, movements and distribution, stock structure and age composition, threats to the species, or other pertinent information. Authority The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Dated: September 4, 2007. Samuel D. Rauch III, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E7–17779 Filed 9–7–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XC38 Marine Mammals; File No. 1034–1854 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for amendment. ebenthall on PRODPC61 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Markus Horning, Department of Fisheries & Wildlife, Oregon State University, Hatfield Marine Science Center, 2030 SE Marine Science Drive, Newport, OR 97365, has requested an amendment to scientific research Permit No. 1034–1854. DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or before October 10, 2007 ADDRESSES: The amendment request and related documents are available for review upon written request or by appointment in the following office(s): Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone (301)713–2289; fax (301)427–2521; and Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:27 Sep 07, 2007 Jkt 211001 CA 90802–4213; phone (562)980–4001; fax (562)980–4018. Written comments or requests for a public hearing on this request should be submitted to the Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, F/PR1, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Those individuals requesting a hearing should set forth the specific reasons why a hearing on this particular amendment request would be appropriate. Comments may also be submitted by facsimile at (301)427–2521, provided the facsimile is confirmed by hard copy submitted by mail and postmarked no later than the closing date of the comment period. Comments may also be submitted by e-mail. The mailbox address for providing e-mail comments is NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Include in the subject line of the e-mail comment the following document identifier: File No. 1034–1854. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Sloan or Tammy Adams, (301)713–2289. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 1034– 1854, issued on September 18, 2006 (71 FR 56110) is requested 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). Permit No. 1034–1854 authorizes the permit holder to conduct research on Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) to compare oxygen handling, body condition, muscle physiology, and foraging behavior in young adults and old adults. A total of 48 animals may have the following procedures performed: capture, sedation; morphometrics; ultrasound; blood and muscle samples taken; administration of Evans blue dye and deuterium oxide; external and internal data recorders deployed; release; recapture to add device to manipulate energy expenditure; and recapture to remove instruments. Up to 250 animals seals may be incidentally harassed during these activities. The permit expires on September 30, 2011. The permit holder requests authorization to (1) increase the number of sequential blood samples from animals with Evans blue dye administered from three to five samples for accurate plasma volume determinations; (2) leave the satellite data transmitters on adult females until they fall off no later than the annual molt, rather than removing them at the PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 51621 end of the field season, for the purpose of recording more dives and increasing the power of age group dive behavior comparisons; and (3) opportunistically attach satellite transmitters to selected adult females older than 21 years when first encountered, for subsequent recapture, sampling, and outfitting with remaining telemetry devices. The permit holder requests pre-tagging older females because of the difficulty in encountering adult, non-pregnant and non-lactating females older than 21 years. Such tagged females could be tracked and captured to be fully included in the experiments when all sampling equipment was in place. No changes to the number of animals permitted, or handling durations during procedures, are proposed. The permit holder also proposes to collect opportunistic fecal samples and import them into the U.S. for fecal corticosterone analysis to determine individual animal stress levels. Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of this application to the Marine Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors. Dated: September 4, 2007. P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E7–17776 Filed 9–7–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XC37 Marine Mammals; File No. 1032–1917 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit. AGENCY: SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Robert A. Garrott, Ecology Department, Montana State University, 310 Lewis Hall, Bozeman, MT, 59717 has been issued a permit to conduct research on Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii). The permit and related documents are available for review upon written request or by appointment in the following office(s): Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room ADDRESSES: E:\FR\FM\10SEN1.SGM 10SEN1 51622 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 174 / Monday, September 10, 2007 / Notices 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone (301)713–2289; fax (301)427–2521; and Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802–4213; phone (562)980–4001; fax (562)980–4018. Kate Swails or Tammy Adams, (301)713– 2289. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: On May 15, 2007, notice was published in the Federal Register (72 FR 27292) that a request for a scientific research permit to take the species listed above had been submitted by the above-named individual. 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 purpose of the research is to evaluate how temporal variation in the marine environment affects a long-lived mammal’s population dynamics. The applicant proposes to continue longterm studies of the Weddell seal population in the Erebus Bay, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, and White Island areas of Antarctica. Up to 325 adults and 800 pups will be captured annually. Animals will be weighed, tissued sampled, flipper tagged, and released. Annually up to 2000 Weddell, 50 crabeater (Lobodon carcinophagus), and 50 leopard (Hydrurga leptonyx) seals may be incidentally disturbed as a result of the research activities. The permit authorizes up to 4 (2 adults and 2 pups) Weddell seal research-related mortalities annually. The permit is valid for five years. 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. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ebenthall on PRODPC61 with NOTICES Dated: September 5, 2007. P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E7–17777 Filed 9–7–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:27 Sep 07, 2007 Jkt 211001 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XC27 Small Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; LowEnergy Marine Seismic Survey in the Northeastern Pacific Ocean, September 2007 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; issuance of incidental harassment authorization. AGENCY: SUMMARY: In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) regulations, notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) for the take of marine mammals, by Level B harassment only, incidental to conducting a low-energy marine seismic survey in the northeastern Pacific Ocean during September, 2007. DATES: Effective September 5, 2007, through September 30, 2007. ADDRESSES: A copy of the IHA and application are available by writing to P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 EastWest Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910–3225, or by telephoning the contact listed here. A copy of the application containing a list of the references used in this document may be obtained by writing to the address specified above, telephoning the contact listed below (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT), or visiting the Internet at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ pr/permits/incidental.htm#applications. Documents cited in this notice may be viewed, by appointment, during regular business hours, at the aforementioned address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Candace Nachman or Jolie Harrison, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, (301) 713–2289. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) direct the Secretary of Commerce to allow, upon request, the incidental, but not intentional, taking of marine mammals by U.S. citizens who engage in a specified activity (other than PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 commercial fishing) within a specified geographical region if certain findings are made and either regulations are issued or, if the taking is limited to harassment, a notice of a proposed authorization is provided to the public for review. Authorization shall be granted if NMFS finds that the taking will have a negligible impact on the species or stock(s), will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of the species or stock(s) for subsistence uses (where relevant), and if the permissible methods of taking and requirements pertaining to the mitigation, monitoring, and reporting of such takings are set forth. NMFS has defined ‘‘negligible impact’’ in 50 CFR 216.103 as ’’...an impact resulting from the specified activity that cannot be reasonably expected to, and is not reasonably likely to, adversely affect the species or stock through effects on annual rates of recruitment or survival.’’ Section 101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA established an expedited process by which citizens of the U.S. can apply for an authorization to incidentally take small numbers of marine mammals by harassment. Except with respect to certain activities not pertinent here, the MMPA defines ‘‘harassment’’ as: any act of pursuit, torment, or annoyance which (i) has the potential to injure a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild [Level A harassment]; or (ii) has the potential to disturb a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild by causing disruption of behavioral patterns, including, but not limited to, migration, breathing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or sheltering [Level B harassment]. Section 101(a)(5)(D) establishes a 45– day time limit for NMFS review of an application followed by a 30–day public notice and comment period on any proposed authorizations for the incidental harassment of marine mammals. Within 45 days of the close of the comment period, NMFS must either approve or deny the authorization. Summary of Request On May 4, 2007, NMFS received an application from SIO for the taking, by Level B harassment only, of eight species of marine mammals incidental to conducting, with research funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF), an ocean-bottom seismograph (OBS) deployment and a magnetic, bathymetric, and seismic survey program off the Oregon coast in the northeastern Pacific Ocean during September, 2007. The purpose of the research program was outlined in NMFS’ notice of the proposed IHA (72 FR 42045, August 1, 2007). E:\FR\FM\10SEN1.SGM 10SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 174 (Monday, September 10, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51621-51622]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-17777]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XC37


Marine Mammals; File No. 1032-1917

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 Robert A. Garrott, Ecology 
Department, Montana State University, 310 Lewis Hall, Bozeman, MT, 
59717 has been issued a permit to conduct research on Weddell seals 
(Leptonychotes weddellii).

ADDRESSES: The permit and related documents are available for review 
upon written request or by appointment in the following office(s):
    Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room

[[Page 51622]]

13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone (301)713-2289; fax (301)427-2521; 
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: Kate Swails or Tammy Adams, (301)713-
2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 15, 2007, notice was published in the 
Federal Register (72 FR 27292) that a request for a scientific research 
permit to take the species listed above had been submitted by the 
above-named individual. 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 purpose of the research is to evaluate how temporal variation 
in the marine environment affects a long-lived mammal's population 
dynamics. The applicant proposes to continue long-term studies of the 
Weddell seal population in the Erebus Bay, McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, and 
White Island areas of Antarctica. Up to 325 adults and 800 pups will be 
captured annually. Animals will be weighed, tissued sampled, flipper 
tagged, and released. Annually up to 2000 Weddell, 50 crabeater 
(Lobodon carcinophagus), and 50 leopard (Hydrurga leptonyx) seals may 
be incidentally disturbed as a result of the research activities. The 
permit authorizes up to 4 (2 adults and 2 pups) Weddell seal research-
related mortalities annually. The permit is valid for five years.
    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: September 5, 2007.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E7-17777 Filed 9-7-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
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