Marine Mammals; File Nos. 18722, 18897, 19425, and 19497, 36768-36769 [2015-15753]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 123 (Friday, June 26, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36768-36769]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-15753]



[[Page 36768]]

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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE009


Marine Mammals; File Nos. 18722, 18897, 19425, and 19497

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice; receipt of applications.

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

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the following entities have 
applied in due form for a permit to receive, import, and export 
specimens of marine mammals for scientific research:
    File No. 18722: Cornell University, 157 Biotechnology Building, 
Ithaca, NY 14850 [Responsible Party: Sharron Mitchell, Ph.D.];
    File No. 18897: Kathleen Colegrove, Ph.D., University of Illinois, 
College of Veterinary Medicine, Zoological Pathology Program, LUMC Room 
0745, Building 101, 2160 South First Street, Maywood, IL 60153;
    File No. 19425: Melissa McKinney, Ph.D., University of Connecticut, 
Center for Environmental Sciences and Engineering, 3107 Horsebarn Hill 
Road, U-4210, Storrs, CT 06269;
    File No. 19497: University of Florida, Aquatic Animal Health 
Program, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32608 
[Responsible Party: Thomas Waltzek, Ph.D.].

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before July 27, 2015.

ADDRESSES: The applications 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 the 
appropriate File No. 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 these applications 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 NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. 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: The following Analysts at (301) 427-
8401: Rosa L. Gonz[aacute]lez (File No. 19497), Carrie Hubard (File No. 
19425), Brendan Hurley (File Nos. 18722 and 18897) and Jennifer 
Skidmore (File Nos. 18722, 18897, 19425, 19497).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permits are requested under the 
authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended 
(MMPA; 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 222-226), and the Fur Seal 
Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).
    File No. 18722: The applicant is proposing to: (1) Import/export 
and receive marine mammal DNA samples from dead beach-cast carcasses, 
and (2) receive, import/export specimens from scientists in academic, 
federal, and state institutions involved in marine mammal research 
under their own permits. The samples will be used for genotyping by 
sequencing to analyze single nucleotide polymorphisms in studies of 
genetic variation. Unlimited samples from up to 2000 pinnipeds 
(excluding walrus) and 2000 cetaceans would be received, imported, or 
exported during the duration of this permit. This permit is only for 
the import/export/receipt of DNA samples. Import/export activities 
would occur world-wide. No live animals would be harassed or taken, 
lethally or otherwise, under the requested permit. The permit is 
requested for a five-year period.
    File No. 18897: The applicant is proposing to import marine mammal 
parts (bones and organ tissue samples) from: (1) Foreign animals either 
euthanized, found stranded, or in captivity (including animals in 
rehab), or (2) animals captured/sampled by other researchers under 
separate permits for such activities. The purpose of the proposed 
research includes diagnostic testing to determine the causes of 
outbreaks or unusual natural mortalities and investigations into the 
ecology of diseases in free-ranging animals or unexpected mortalities 
in captive populations. Unlimited samples from up to 100 pinnipeds 
(excluding walrus) and 100 cetaceans would be imported during the 
duration of this permit. Import activities would occur world-wide. 
There would be no live or lethal taking resulting from the importation 
of samples. The permit is requested for a five-year period.
    File No. 19425: The applicant proposes to study marine mammal 
contaminant levels, specifically using fatty acid and stable isotopes 
to examine diets and contaminant loads and how they are affected by 
climate change. Tissue samples would come from remote biopsy sampling, 
captured animals, and animals collected during subsistence harvests. 
Samples would originate in the United States, Canada, and Greenland/
Denmark. Cetacean and pinniped samples (up to 50 of each species group 
per year, except for those species specified below) would be analyzed, 
with a focus on the following Arctic species: ringed seal (30 per 
year), bearded seal (10 per year), and narwhal (10 per year). No takes 
of live animals would be authorized under this permit. The permit would 
be valid for five years after issuance.
    File No. 19497: The applicant proposes to receive, import, and 
export tissue and other specimen materials (e.g., body fluids) to 
research the etiologies and cofactors of emerging marine mammal 
infectious diseases, utilizing standard molecular and sequencing 
approaches. Unlimited samples from up to 300 individual cetaceans and 
700 individual pinnipeds (excluding walrus) would be received, 
imported, or exported annually on an opportunistic basis. Samples would 
be obtained from the following marine mammal sources: (1) Killed during 
legal U.S. or foreign subsistence harvests; (2) stranded dead or that 
died during rehabilitation in foreign countries; (3) died incidental to 
commercial fishing operations in foreign countries where such taking is 
legal; (4) died incidental to commercial fishing operations in the U.S. 
where such taking is legal; (5) in captivity where samples were taken 
as a result of routine husbandry procedures or under separate permit; 
and (6) from other authorized researchers or collections in academic, 
federal, state or other institutions involved in marine mammal research 
in the U.S. or abroad. Samples collected from stranded animals in the 
U.S. and received under separate authorization may be exported and 
reimported. No takes of live animals are requested or would be 
permitted. The applicant has requested a five-year permit.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42

[[Page 36769]]

U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial determination has been made that the 
activities proposed are 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 applications to the Marine 
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.

    Dated: June 23, 2015.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-15753 Filed 6-25-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P