Marine Mammals; File No. 19526, 39750-39751 [2015-16913]

Download as PDF 39750 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 132 / Friday, July 10, 2015 / Notices The subject amendment to Permit No. 17670–02 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. 17670–00 issued on April 11, 2013 (77 FR 64959), authorized the permit holder to take gray (Halichoerus grypus), harbor (Phoca vitulina),, harp (Pagophilus groenlandicus), and hooded (Cystophora cristata) seals in waters within or proximal to the U.S. EEZ from North Carolina northward to Maine, during conduct of stock assessment research, including estimation of distribution and abundance, determination of stock structure, habitat requirements, foraging ecology, health assessment and effects of natural and anthropogenic factors. Types of take include harassment during shipboard, skiff, and aircraft transect and photoidentification surveys, and scat collection; and, capture with tissue sampling and instrument or tag attachment. A limited number of research-related mortality is also allowed, as well as world-wide import and export of pinniped samples. The permit was amended on two occasions via minor amendments: Permit No. 17670–01 authorized sampling of pinniped carcasses aboard commercial fishing vessels; and, Permit No. 17670– 02 authorized nail clipping and fecal loop sampling during permitted captures. The permit holder is requesting the permit be amended to include authorization to (1) increase the number of gray and harbor seals harassed annually during research; (2) add use of unmanned aircraft systems to survey seals; (3) increase the number of gray and harbor seals captured and handled for sampling and instrumentation, and increase the frequency of sampling; (4) increase the number of biopsy samples (from one to two) taken during sampling; (5) add harassment from photo-identification of gray seals to study pup molting; (6) increase the number of gray and harbor seal samples imported/exported annually; (7) increase unintentional mortality including via euthanasia in the event sick or injured seals are inadvertently captured. Take numbers are enumerated in the amendment request take tables. 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 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:51 Jul 09, 2015 Jkt 235001 prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. 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: July 7, 2015. Julia Harrison, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2015–16911 Filed 7–9–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XD953 Marine Mammals; File No. 19108 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that a permit has been issued to Daniel P. Costa, Ph.D., University of California at Santa Cruz, Long Marine Laboratory, 100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, to conduct research on northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) throughout their range in the U.S. 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: Amy Sloan, (301) 427–8401. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 27, 2015, notice was published in the Federal Register (80 FR 30212) that a request for a permit to conduct research on the species identified above 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). Permit No. 19108 authorizes continued research on northern elephant seal population status, reproduction, diving and fasting, physiology, and metabolism. Research methods include behavioral SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 observations, marking, capture and sampling, instrumentation, translocation, short-term captive holding, physiology studies, and acoustic studies. Research is permitted from California to Washington, but ˜ occurs primarily at Ano Nuevo. Incidental harassment and mortalities of northern elephant seals, and incidental harassment of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus), and Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) of the Eastern Distinct Population Segment is authorized. The permit expires June 30, 2020. 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: July 7, 2015. Julia Harrison, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2015–16914 Filed 7–9–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XD939 Marine Mammals; File No. 19526 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that a permit has been issued to Adam White, BBC Natural History Unit, The Limes, Lea, Malmesbury Wiltshire, SN16 9PG United Kingdom, to conduct commercial or educational photography on four species of cetaceans and five species of pinnipeds. 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: Carrie Hubard or Jennifer Skidmore, (301) 427–8401. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 15, 2015, notice was published in the SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\10JYN1.SGM 10JYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 132 / Friday, July 10, 2015 / Notices Federal Register (80 FR 27928) that a request for a permit to conduct commercial or educational photography on long-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus capensis), short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus), bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), Northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris), Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus), and Northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) 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.) and the regulations governing the taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216). The permit authorizes filming of marine mammals along the California ˜ coast from Point Ano Nuevo south to the Channel Islands. Cetaceans may be filmed from boats and pole cameras. Pinnipeds may be filmed from boats, pole cameras, underwater divers, and while hauled out on land. Footage will be used for a Big Blue Live television series examining marine issues and conservation successes along the coast of California. The permit is valid until September 30, 2015. 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: July 7, 2015. Julia Harrison, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2015–16913 Filed 7–9–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request The Department of Commerce will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). Agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:51 Jul 09, 2015 Jkt 235001 Title: Submission of Conservation Efforts to Make Listings Unnecessary under the Endangered Species Act under the Policy for Evaluation of Conservation Efforts when Making Listing Decisions. OMB Control Number: 0648–0466. Form Number(s): None. Type of Request: Regular (extension of a currently approved information collection). Number of Respondents: 3. Average Hours per Response: 2,500 hours per agreement or plan; 320 hours to conduct monitoring for successful agreements; and 80 hours to prepare a report for successful agreements. Burden Hours: 3,300. Needs and Uses: This request is for extension of a currently approved information collection. On March 28, 2003, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Services) announced a final policy on the criteria the Services will use to evaluate conservation efforts by states and other non-Federal entities (68 FR 15100). The Services take these efforts into account when making decisions on whether to list a species as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act. The efforts usually involve the development of a conservation plan or agreement, procedures for monitoring the effectiveness of the plan or agreement, and an annual report. Affected Public: State, local or tribal government; business or other for-profit organizations. Frequency: On occasion. Respondent’s Obligation: Voluntary. This information collection request may be viewed at reginfo.gov. Follow the instructions to view Department of Commerce collections currently under review by OMB. Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to OIRA_Submission@ omb.eop.gov or fax to (202) 395–5806. Dated: July 7, 2015. Sarah Brabson, NOAA PRA Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 2015–16872 Filed 7–9–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 39751 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XD826 Marine Mammals; File No. 17967 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit amendment. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that a permit has been issued to Minnesota Zoological Gardens (MZG), 13000 Zoo Blvd., Apple Valley, MN 55124, to conduct research on and enhancement of Hawaiian monk seals (Neomonachus schauinslandi) in captivity. 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: Amy Sloan or Jennifer Skidmore, (301) 427–8401. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 23, 2015, notice was published in the Federal Register (80 FR 15190) that a request for a permit to maintain the species identified for research and enhancement purposes 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.), and the regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222–226). The permit authorizes MZG to maintain up to eight nonreleasable Hawaiian monk seals in captivity at the MZG. Permitted research includes: (1) Annual blood samples and nasal swabs to be analyzed for presence of West Nile virus, canine distemper virus, and phocine distemper virus in seals previously vaccinated; and (2) testing various sedatives to inform use in the wild population. Seals may be used in research projects authorized under separate permits. MZG will continue public awareness on the status of the species through education and public observation of the seals. The permit expires May 1, 2020. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\10JYN1.SGM 10JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 132 (Friday, July 10, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39750-39751]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-16913]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD939


Marine Mammals; File No. 19526

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 Adam 
White, BBC Natural History Unit, The Limes, Lea, Malmesbury Wiltshire, 
SN16 9PG United Kingdom, to conduct commercial or educational 
photography on four species of cetaceans and five species of pinnipeds.

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: Carrie Hubard or Jennifer Skidmore, 
(301) 427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 15, 2015, notice was published in the

[[Page 39751]]

Federal Register (80 FR 27928) that a request for a permit to conduct 
commercial or educational photography on long-beaked common dolphins 
(Delphinus capensis), short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), 
Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus), bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops 
truncatus), harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), California sea lions 
(Zalophus californianus), Northern elephant seals (Mirounga 
angustirostris), Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus), and Northern 
fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) 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.) and the regulations governing the taking and importing of marine 
mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    The permit authorizes filming of marine mammals along the 
California coast from Point A[ntilde]o Nuevo south to the Channel 
Islands. Cetaceans may be filmed from boats and pole cameras. Pinnipeds 
may be filmed from boats, pole cameras, underwater divers, and while 
hauled out on land. Footage will be used for a Big Blue Live television 
series examining marine issues and conservation successes along the 
coast of California. The permit is valid until September 30, 2015.
    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: July 7, 2015.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-16913 Filed 7-9-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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