Notice2024-29618
Marine Mammals; File No. 28286
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
December 17, 2024
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
Notice is hereby given that SeaWorld LLC, 6240 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando, FL 32821 (Responsible Party: Chris Dold, DVM), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research and enhancement activities on one stranded, non-releasable beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) from the endangered Cook Inlet distinct population segment (DPS).
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 242 (Tuesday, December 17, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 242 (Tuesday, December 17, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 102117-102118]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-29618]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XE511]
Marine Mammals; File No. 28286
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 SeaWorld LLC, 6240 Sea Harbor
Drive, Orlando, FL 32821 (Responsible Party: Chris Dold, DVM), has
applied in due form for a permit to conduct research and enhancement
activities on one stranded, non-releasable beluga whale (Delphinapterus
leucas) from the endangered Cook Inlet distinct population segment
(DPS).
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before January 31, 2025.
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, <a href="https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov">https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov</a>, and then selecting File No.
28286 from the list of available applications. These documents are also
available upon written request via email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#92dcdfd4c1bcc2e0a3d1fdfffff7fce6e1d2fcfdf3f3bcf5fde4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5e1013180d700e2c6f1d3133333b302a2d1e30313f3f70393128">[email protected]</span></a>.
Written comments on this application should be submitted via email
to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6c22212a3f423c1e5d2f0301010902181f2c02030d0d420b031a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="054b4843562b557734466a6868606b7176456b6a64642b626a73">[email protected]</span></a>. Please include File No. 28286 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#6a24272c39443a185b290507070f041e192a04050b0b440d051c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c987848f9ae799bbf88aa6a4a4aca7bdba89a7a6a8a8e7aea6bf">[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 Jennifer
Skidmore, (301) 427-8401.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is 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.), and the
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222 through 226).
The applicant proposes to conduct research on and provide long-term
care for one male beluga whale (NOA0010477/``Tyonek'') from the
depleted and endangered Cook Inlet DPS. This whale stranded as a
neonate (estimated date of birth: September 1, 2017), and was rescued
and rehabilitated by the Alaska marine mammal stranding network under
the authority of the NMFS Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response
Program. NMFS determined him to be non-releasable and placed Tyonek
with SeaWorld of Texas where he has been maintained for research and
enhancement purposes since March 18, 2018.
Proposed research activities for this beluga whale include
behavioral observations, underwater photography/videography, and active
acoustic sonar imaging. The proposed enhancement activities include
continued daily husbandry care (feeding, training, monitoring growth
[measurements, weight, ultrasound]); veterinary care (exams and
biological sampling including but not limited to blood, breath
exhalate, oral swabs, skin scrapes, gastric fluids, urine, feces; and
treatments as warranted); reproductive health assessment (testicular
ultrasound); behavioral observations; and enrichment.
Tyonek would be placed on public display incidental to the proposed
research and enhancement activities but would not be used in
interactive programs with the public or trained for performance. Tyonek
would be included in public educational presentations would address the
endangered status and current threats to the Cook Inlet DPS and may
include demonstrations of trained husbandry and enrichment behaviors as
well as natural behaviors. Tyonek may be transported to another
SeaWorld facility in consultation with NMFS, if deemed necessary for
socialization or husbandry purposes. The permit is requested for a 5-
year period.
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.
[[Page 102118]]
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: December 11, 2024.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-29618 Filed 12-16-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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