Marine Mammals; File No. 14326 and 14329, 21703-21705 [2011-9329]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 74 / Monday, April 18, 2011 / Notices shipyard restriction’’ applicable to foreign-origin steel mill products (e.g., angles, pipe, plate), which requires that all applicable duties be paid on such items. In accordance with the Board’s regulations, Pierre Duy of the FTZ Staff is designated examiner to evaluate and analyze the facts and information presented in the application and case record and to report findings and recommendations to the Board. Public comment is invited from interested parties. Submissions (original and 3 copies) shall be addressed to the Board’s Executive Secretary at the following address: Office of the Executive Secretary, Room 2111, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230–0002. The closing period for receipt of comments is June 17, 2011. Rebuttal comments in response to material submitted during the foregoing period may be submitted during the subsequent 15-day period to July 5, 2011. A copy of the application will be available for public inspection at the Office of the Foreign-Trade Zones Board’s Executive Secretary at the address listed above and in the ‘‘Reading Room’’ section of the Board’s Web site, which is accessible via https://www.trade.gov/ftz. For further information, contact Pierre Duy at Pierre.Duy@trade.gov or (202) 482–1378. Dated: April 8, 2011. Andrew McGilvray, Executive Secretary. [FR Doc. 2011–9325 Filed 4–15–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Foreign-Trade Zones Board [Order No. 1748] erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with NOTICES Approval for Extension of Subzone Status and Manufacturing Authority; Foreign-Trade Subzone 169A; Aso LLC; (Adhesive Bandages); Sarasota County, FL; Correction The Federal Register notice (76 FR 19746, 4/8/2011) describing the approval of the application by the Manatee County Port Authority, grantee of Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 169, to indefinitely extend subzone status and manufacturing authority on behalf of Aso LLC, to perform adhesive bandage manufacturing within FTZ Subzone 169A in Sarasota County, Florida, is corrected as follows: Paragraph 1 should read: ‘‘WHEREAS, the Manatee County Port Authority, VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:25 Apr 15, 2011 Jkt 223001 grantee of Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 169, has requested to indefinitely extend subzone status and manufacturing authority on behalf of Aso LLC (Aso) to perform adhesive bandage manufacturing within FTZ Subzone 169A in Sarasota County, Florida, (FTZ Docket 55–2010, filed 9/23/2010);’’ Dated: April 8, 2011. Andrew McGilvray, Executive Secretary. [FR Doc. 2011–9324 Filed 4–15–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board: Meeting of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice of an open meeting. AGENCY: This notice sets forth the schedule and agenda for an open meeting of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board (Board). The agenda may change to accommodate Board business. The final agenda will be posted on the Department of Commerce Web site for the Board at https:// tinet.ita.doc.gov/TTAB/ TTAB_Home.html. DATES: May 23, 2011, 2 p.m.–4:30 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time (PDT). ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Moscone Center, 747 Howard Street, San Francisco, California, Room 250– 262. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Pilat, the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, Room 4043, 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230, telephone: 202– 482–4501, e-mail: jennifer.pilat@trade.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background: The Board was rechartered in September 2009, to advise the Secretary of Commerce on matters relating to the U.S. travel and tourism industries. Topics to be considered: During the meeting, the Board will hear updates from two Board subcommittees on Travel Facilitation and Research. Representatives from the Departments of Homeland Security, State and Transportation will also provide updates on their respective agencies’ work relating to the U.S. travel and tourism industries, and updates on their SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 21703 respective agencies’ work relating to the recommendations of the Travel Facilitation subcommittee presented at the last meeting and adopted by the Board. The Marketing, Outreach and Coordination and Advocacy subcommittees will present their respective recommendations to the Board. Public Participation: The meeting will be open to the public and will be physically accessible to people with disabilities. Seating is limited and will be on a first come, first served basis. Because of building security and logistics, all attendees must pre-register no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on Friday, May 13, 2011 with Jennifer Pilat, the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, Room 4043, 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230, telephone 202– 482–4501, jennifer.pilat@trade.gov. Please specify any requests for sign language interpretation, other auxiliary aids, or other reasonable accommodation no later than 5 p.m. EDT on May 16, 2011, to Jennifer Pilat at the contact information above. Last minute requests will be accepted, but may be impossible to fill. No time will be available for oral comments from members of the public attending the meeting. Any member of the public may submit pertinent written comments concerning the Board’s affairs at any time before or after the meeting. Comments may be submitted to Jennifer Pilat at the contact information indicated above. To be considered during the meeting, comments must be received no later than 5 p.m. EDT on May 13, 2011, to ensure transmission to the Board prior to the meeting. Comments received after that date will be distributed to the members but may not be considered at the meeting. Copies of Board meeting minutes will be available within 90 days of the meeting. Dated: April 13, 2011. Jennifer Pilat, Executive Secretary, U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board. [FR Doc. 2011–9355 Filed 4–15–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DR–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XA369 Marine Mammals; File No. 14326 and 14329 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\18APN1.SGM 18APN1 21704 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 74 / Monday, April 18, 2011 / Notices Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; receipt of applications for permit amendments. Notice is hereby given that the following permit holders have applied for amendments to Scientific Research Permits for taking marine mammals: NMFS National Marine Mammal Laboratory, Seattle, WA (File No. 14326) and North Pacific Universities Marine Mammal Research Consortium (NPUMMRC), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada (File No. 14329). DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or before May 18, 2011. 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 home page, https:// apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File No. 14326 (NMML) or 14329 (NPUMMRC) from the list of available applications. These documents are also available upon written request or by appointment in the following offices: See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. Written comments on this application should be submitted to the Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, at the address listed above. Comments may also be submitted by facsimile to (301) 713–0376, or by email to NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Please include the File No. in the subject line of the e-mail comment. Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a written request to the Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education 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: Tammy Adams or Amy Sloan, (301) 713–2289. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 14326 is requested 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 (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 subject amendment to Permit No. 14329 is being requested under the authority of the MMPA, the regulations governing erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:25 Apr 15, 2011 Jkt 223001 the taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216), and the Fur Seal Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.). File No. 14326. Permit No. 14326, issued on August 17, 2009 (74 FR 44822), authorizes the permit holder to measure population status, vital rates, foraging ecology, habitat requirements, and effects of natural and anthropogenic factors for Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) in the North Pacific Ocean, including rookeries and haulouts in CA, OR, WA, and AK. Annually in the western Distinct Population Segment (DPS) sea lions may be exposed to aerial surveys, rookery-based activities, and other incidental activities. Steller sea lions that are captured will have blood, skin, and swab samples collected; be hot-branded, have blubber and lesions biopsied, vibrissa removed; and stomach intubation. Instruments will be attached to some animals and others will receive a non-permanent mark if not hot-branded. Non-target species that may be harassed incidental to Steller sea lion research include northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) in AK, California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) and northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustrirostris) in WA, OR, and CA, and harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) in all States. The permit also authorizes unintentional mortality of Steller sea lions from the western DPS and the eastern DPS. The permit was amended on October 26, 2010 (75 FR 67347), to allow takes of up to 20 adult female Steller sea lions annually by capture using additional drug combinations in the remotely delivered darts. The permit, as amended, is valid through August 31, 2014. The permit holder is requesting the permit be amended to include authorization for the following in AK: (1) Double the number of non-pup sea lions surveyed (from 10,000 to 20,000 per year) to accommodate one winter aerial survey of the Aleutian Islands per year; (2) shift some resight effort from the non-breeding season (August–May) to the breeding season (June–July) with increased potential disturbance for June–July (increase from 300 to 800 pups and increase from 3,000 to 8,000 non-pups per year) and for August–May (decrease from 20,000 to 15,000 nonpups per year); (3) visit additional sites to supplement aerial surveys if logistics prevent aircraft access to sites with increased potential disturbance (from 120 to 400 pups; and from 600 to 1,000 non-pups per each permit year (previously 2011 and 2013 only)); (4) permanently mark (hot-brand) an additional 300 pups per year at rookeries in the Aleutian Islands (west PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 of 170° W) in 2011 and 2013; and (5) for a subset of pups handled for permanent marking, add collection of blubber biopsies for fatty acid and toxicology analyses; collection of fecal loops for determination of parasites, disease, and hormone concentrations; collection of milk from stomach lavage; puling a vibrissae; and external ultrasound. The permit holder is also requesting the permit be amended to include authorization for the following in CA, OR, WA: (1) Increase the number of aerial surveys flown per year from 4 to 12; (2) increase the number of vessel surveys that may occur at any one site per year (depending on funding, staffing, vessel availability, weather) from 12 to 24; and (3) increase the number of ground surveys that may occur at any one site per year (depending on funding, staffing, vessel availability, weather) from 5 to 24. File No. 14329. Permit No. 14329, issued on August 17, 2009 (74 FR 44822), authorizes the permit holder to test hypotheses that might explain the decline of northern fur seals in AK and offer solutions for recovery. The research includes studies on foraging ecology, demographics, behavior, and changes in body size. Research activities involve: Disturbance associated with capture, observational studies, and scat collection; and capture, restraint, tissue sampling, and marking. The permit also authorizes research-related mortality of northern fur seals. The permit holder is requesting the permit be amended to include authorization to conduct the following on lactating female fur seals already authorized for capture: (1) Glue a small tri-axial accelerometer to the fur on top of each female’s head to detect preycatching events at sea; (2) use gas anaesthesia (isoflurane); and (3) inject doubly labelled water, with serial blood samples and holding for up to 3 hours between blood draws. The permit holder also requests to capture and recapture pups (up to 35 per year) of the above mentioned lactating females following suckling to take morphometric measurement and assess energy transfer. The pups would be physically restrained and marked with flipper tags, hair dye, hair bleach, fluorescent paint, or a glued-on head marker. 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 activities proposed are consistent with the Preferred Alternative in the Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Steller Sea Lion and Northern Fur Seal Research (NMFS E:\FR\FM\18APN1.SGM 18APN1 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 74 / Monday, April 18, 2011 / Notices 2007), and that issuance of the permit amendments would not have a significant adverse impact on the human environment. Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of these applications to the Marine Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors. Documents may be reviewed in the following locations: File Nos. 14326 and 14329: 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) 713–0376. File Nos. 14326 and 14329: Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802–1668; phone (907) 586–7221; fax (907) 586–7249. File No. 14326 only: Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802– 4213; phone (562) 980–4001; fax (562) 980–4018. File No. 14326 only: Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way, NE., BIN C15700, Bldg. 1, Seattle, WA 98115–0700; phone (206) 526–6150; fax (206) 526–6426. Dated: April 12, 2011. P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2011–9329 Filed 4–15–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XA361 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Catch Accounting in the Longline Catcher/Processor Pacific Cod Fishery National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public workshop. AGENCY: NMFS announces a workshop to solicit input from owners and operators of longline catcher/processors (freezer longliners) engaged in the Pacific cod fisheries off Alaska. The workshop concerns proposed changes to equipment and operational requirements for monitoring catch under a voluntary cooperative. The workshop is open to the public, but NMFS is particularly seeking erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:25 Apr 15, 2011 Jkt 223001 participation by people who are knowledgeable about the operations of Pacific cod freezer longliners and who can discuss with NMFS the potential operational impacts of proposed monitoring requirements. The public workshop will be held on Tuesday, May 10, 2011, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pacific daylight savings time. DATES: The workshop will be held at the Swedish Cultural Center, 1920 Dexter Avenue, N., Seattle, WA 98109. Directions to the Swedish Cultural Center are on its Web site at https:// www.swedishculturalcenter.org/ contacts.htm. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alan Kinsolving, 928–774–4362 or Jennifer Watson, 907–586–7537. NMFS is developing proposed revisions to observer and equipment and operational requirements for Pacific cod freezer longliners in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands to support different catch accounting methods for Pacific cod catch. NMFS is considering proposed requirements related to the use of motion-compensated flow scales to weigh Pacific cod; additional work space for observers; video monitoring of areas where catch is sorted and weighed; and the use of electronic logbooks to facilitate timely vessel reporting of the Pacific cod for each haul. This workshop is open to the public, but NMFS is particularly seeking input from those who work on Pacific cod freezer longliners, are familiar with the vessel operations, and have knowledge of the potential impact of changes in the handling of Pacific cod under the proposed monitoring requirements. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 21705 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Office of the Secretary Closed Meeting of the Department of Defense Wage Committee Department of Defense. Notice of closed meetings. AGENCY: ACTION: Pursuant to the provisions of section 10 of Public Law 92–463, the Federal Advisory Committee Act, notice is hereby given that closed meetings of the Department of Defense Wage Committee will be held on Tuesday, May 3, 2011, Tuesday, May 17, 2011, and Tuesday, May 31, 2011, at 10 a.m. at 1400 Key Boulevard, Level A, Room A101, Rosslyn, Virginia 22209. Under the provisions of section 10(d) of Public Law 92–463, the Department of Defense has determined that the meetings meet the criteria to close meetings to the public because the matters to be considered are related to internal rules and practices of the Department of Defense and the detailed wage data to be considered were obtained from officials of private establishments with a guarantee that the data will be held in confidence. However, members of the public who may wish to do so are invited to submit material in writing to the chairman concerning matters believed to be deserving of the Committee’s attention. Additional information concerning the meetings may be obtained by writing to the Chairman, Department of Defense Wage Committee, 4000 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301–4000. SUMMARY: Dated: April 12, 2011. Morgan F. Park, Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense. [FR Doc. 2011–9332 Filed 4–15–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 5001–06–P Special Accommodations DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE The workshop will be physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Jennifer Watson, 907–586–7537, at least 10 working days prior to the meeting date. Office of the Secretary Dated: April 13, 2011. Margo Schulze-Haugen, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2011–9350 Filed 4–15–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Closed Meeting of the Defense Science Board Department of Defense. Notice. AGENCY: ACTION: The Defense Science Board will meet in closed session on May 11– 12, 2011; at the Pentagon, Arlington, VA. The mission of the Defense Science Board is to advise the Secretary of Defense and the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology & Logistics on scientific and technical matters as they affect the perceived SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\18APN1.SGM 18APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 74 (Monday, April 18, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21703-21705]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-9329]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA369


Marine Mammals; File No. 14326 and 14329

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and

[[Page 21704]]

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice; receipt of applications for permit amendments.

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

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the following permit holders have 
applied for amendments to Scientific Research Permits for taking marine 
mammals: NMFS National Marine Mammal Laboratory, Seattle, WA (File No. 
14326) and North Pacific Universities Marine Mammal Research Consortium 
(NPUMMRC), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada 
(File No. 14329).

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or 
before May 18, 2011.

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 home 
page, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File No. 14326 
(NMML) or 14329 (NPUMMRC) from the list of available applications.
    These documents are also available upon written request or by 
appointment in the following offices: See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
    Written comments on this application should be submitted to the 
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, at the address 
listed above. Comments may also be submitted by facsimile to (301) 713-
0376, or by e-mail to NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Please include the 
File No. in the subject line of the e-mail comment.
    Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a 
written request to the Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education 
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: Tammy Adams or Amy Sloan, (301) 713-
2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 14326 is 
requested 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 (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 subject 
amendment to Permit No. 14329 is being requested under the authority of 
the MMPA, the regulations governing the taking and importing of marine 
mammals (50 CFR part 216), and the Fur Seal Act of 1966, as amended (16 
U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).
    File No. 14326. Permit No. 14326, issued on August 17, 2009 (74 FR 
44822), authorizes the permit holder to measure population status, 
vital rates, foraging ecology, habitat requirements, and effects of 
natural and anthropogenic factors for Steller sea lions (Eumetopias 
jubatus) in the North Pacific Ocean, including rookeries and haulouts 
in CA, OR, WA, and AK. Annually in the western Distinct Population 
Segment (DPS) sea lions may be exposed to aerial surveys, rookery-based 
activities, and other incidental activities. Steller sea lions that are 
captured will have blood, skin, and swab samples collected; be hot-
branded, have blubber and lesions biopsied, vibrissa removed; and 
stomach intubation. Instruments will be attached to some animals and 
others will receive a non-permanent mark if not hot-branded. Non-target 
species that may be harassed incidental to Steller sea lion research 
include northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) in AK, California sea 
lions (Zalophus californianus) and northern elephant seals (Mirounga 
angustrirostris) in WA, OR, and CA, and harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) 
in all States. The permit also authorizes unintentional mortality of 
Steller sea lions from the western DPS and the eastern DPS. The permit 
was amended on October 26, 2010 (75 FR 67347), to allow takes of up to 
20 adult female Steller sea lions annually by capture using additional 
drug combinations in the remotely delivered darts. The permit, as 
amended, is valid through August 31, 2014.
    The permit holder is requesting the permit be amended to include 
authorization for the following in AK: (1) Double the number of non-pup 
sea lions surveyed (from 10,000 to 20,000 per year) to accommodate one 
winter aerial survey of the Aleutian Islands per year; (2) shift some 
resight effort from the non-breeding season (August-May) to the 
breeding season (June-July) with increased potential disturbance for 
June-July (increase from 300 to 800 pups and increase from 3,000 to 
8,000 non-pups per year) and for August-May (decrease from 20,000 to 
15,000 non-pups per year); (3) visit additional sites to supplement 
aerial surveys if logistics prevent aircraft access to sites with 
increased potential disturbance (from 120 to 400 pups; and from 600 to 
1,000 non-pups per each permit year (previously 2011 and 2013 only)); 
(4) permanently mark (hot-brand) an additional 300 pups per year at 
rookeries in the Aleutian Islands (west of 170[deg] W) in 2011 and 
2013; and (5) for a subset of pups handled for permanent marking, add 
collection of blubber biopsies for fatty acid and toxicology analyses; 
collection of fecal loops for determination of parasites, disease, and 
hormone concentrations; collection of milk from stomach lavage; puling 
a vibrissae; and external ultrasound.
    The permit holder is also requesting the permit be amended to 
include authorization for the following in CA, OR, WA: (1) Increase the 
number of aerial surveys flown per year from 4 to 12; (2) increase the 
number of vessel surveys that may occur at any one site per year 
(depending on funding, staffing, vessel availability, weather) from 12 
to 24; and (3) increase the number of ground surveys that may occur at 
any one site per year (depending on funding, staffing, vessel 
availability, weather) from 5 to 24.
    File No. 14329. Permit No. 14329, issued on August 17, 2009 (74 FR 
44822), authorizes the permit holder to test hypotheses that might 
explain the decline of northern fur seals in AK and offer solutions for 
recovery. The research includes studies on foraging ecology, 
demographics, behavior, and changes in body size. Research activities 
involve: Disturbance associated with capture, observational studies, 
and scat collection; and capture, restraint, tissue sampling, and 
marking. The permit also authorizes research-related mortality of 
northern fur seals.
    The permit holder is requesting the permit be amended to include 
authorization to conduct the following on lactating female fur seals 
already authorized for capture: (1) Glue a small tri-axial 
accelerometer to the fur on top of each female's head to detect prey-
catching events at sea; (2) use gas anaesthesia (isoflurane); and (3) 
inject doubly labelled water, with serial blood samples and holding for 
up to 3 hours between blood draws. The permit holder also requests to 
capture and recapture pups (up to 35 per year) of the above mentioned 
lactating females following suckling to take morphometric measurement 
and assess energy transfer. The pups would be physically restrained and 
marked with flipper tags, hair dye, hair bleach, fluorescent paint, or 
a glued-on head marker.
    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 activities proposed are consistent with the Preferred Alternative 
in the Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Steller 
Sea Lion and Northern Fur Seal Research (NMFS

[[Page 21705]]

2007), and that issuance of the permit amendments would not have a 
significant adverse impact on the human environment.
    Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal 
Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of these applications to the Marine 
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.
    Documents may be reviewed in the following locations:
    File Nos. 14326 and 14329: 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) 
713-0376.
    File Nos. 14326 and 14329: Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, 
Juneau, AK 99802-1668; phone (907) 586-7221; fax (907) 586-7249.
    File No. 14326 only: Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., 
Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4213; phone (562) 980-4001; fax (562) 
980-4018.
    File No. 14326 only: Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way, 
NE., BIN C15700, Bldg. 1, Seattle, WA 98115-0700; phone (206) 526-6150; 
fax (206) 526-6426.

    Dated: April 12, 2011.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-9329 Filed 4-15-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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