Notice2023-21225
Marine Mammals; File No. 27424
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
September 28, 2023
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
Notice is hereby given that Point Blue Conservation Science, 3820 Cypress Drive No. 11, Petaluma, CA 94954, (Responsible Party: Grant Ballard, Ph.D.), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on five species of pinnipeds.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 187 (Thursday, September 28, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 187 (Thursday, September 28, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 66815]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-21225]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XD406]
Marine Mammals; File No. 27424
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 Point Blue Conservation Science,
3820 Cypress Drive No. 11, Petaluma, CA 94954, (Responsible Party:
Grant Ballard, Ph.D.), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct
research on five species of pinnipeds.
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or
before October 30, 2023.
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, <a href="https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov">https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov</a>, and then selecting File
No. 27424 from the list of available applications. These documents are
also available upon written request via email to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9ad4d7dcc9b4cae8abd9f5f7f7fff4eee9daf4f5fbfbb4fdf5ec"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="36787b70651866440775595b5b53584245765859575718515940">[email protected]</span></a>.
Written comments on this application should be submitted via email
to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f5bbb8b3a6dba587c4b69a9898909b8186b59b9a9494db929a83"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="93ddded5c0bdc3e1a2d0fcfefef6fde7e0d3fdfcf2f2bdf4fce5">[email protected]</span></a>. Please include File No. 27424 in the
subject line of the email comment.
Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a
written request via email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c987848f9ae799bbf88aa6a4a4aca7bdba89a7a6a8a8e7aea6bf"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a6e8ebe0f588f6d497e5c9cbcbc3c8d2d5e6c8c9c7c788c1c9d0">[email protected]</span></a>. The request
should set forth the specific reasons why a hearing on this application
would be appropriate.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Courtney Smith, Ph.D., or Shasta
McClenahan, Ph.D., (301) 427-8401.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit 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), and the Fur Seal Act of
1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).
The applicant requests a 5-year scientific research permit to study
and monitor population trends, health, diet, ecology, and physiology of
pinnipeds in the greater Gulf of the Farallones and San Francisco Bay
region of California. Up to 210 northern elephant seals (Mirounga
angustirostris) and 500 northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) may be
captured annually for marking, morphometrics, and biological sampling.
An additional 1,355 elephant seals may be marked and swabbed without
capture. Up to 1,500 harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), 800 northern
elephant seals, 5,320 California sea lions (Zalophus californianus),
155 Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus; Eastern distinct population
segment), and 1,500 northern fur seals may be taken or unintentionally
harassed annually during ground or unmanned aircraft system surveys,
for counts, observation, and scat collection. The applicant also
requests up to five unintentional mortalities of northern elephant
seals over the duration of the permit, with no more than two annually.
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: September 22, 2023.
Amy Sloan,
Acting Division Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-21225 Filed 9-27-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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