Notice2025-14021
Marine Mammals; File No. 28810
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
July 25, 2025
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
Notice is hereby given that NMFS Marine Mammal Laboratory, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115 (Responsible Party: John Bengtson, Ph.D.), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on pinnipeds.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 141 (Friday, July 25, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 141 (Friday, July 25, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Page 35284]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-14021]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XE875]
Marine Mammals; File No. 28810
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 NMFS Marine Mammal Laboratory,
7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115 (Responsible Party: John
Bengtson, Ph.D.), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct
research on pinnipeds.
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before August 25, 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.
28810 from the list of available applications. These documents are also
available upon written request via email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c18f8c8792ef91b3f082aeacaca4afb5b281afaea0a0efa6aeb7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e0aeada6b3ceb092d1a38f8d8d858e9493a08e8f8181ce878f96">[email protected]</span></a>.
Written comments on this application should be submitted via email
to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0c42414a5f225c7e3d4f6361616962787f4c62636d6d226b637a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d39d9e9580fd83a1e290bcbebeb6bda7a093bdbcb2b2fdb4bca5">[email protected]</span></a>. Please include File No. 28810 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#a4eae9e2f78af4d695e7cbc9c9c1cad0d7e4cacbc5c58ac3cbd2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="246a6962770a745615674b4949414a5057644a4b45450a434b52">[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: Sara Young 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
(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 parts 222-226), and the Fur
Seal Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).
The applicant proposes to take six species of pinnipeds, including
ESA-listed Guadalupe fur seals (Arctocephalus townsendi), and potential
hybrids, along the U.S. west coast in the course of research to meet
the mandates of the MMPA and ESA by improving NMFS' understanding of
west coast pinniped species through monitoring population abundance and
trends, health, and behavior. Research activities include: aerial,
vessel, and ground surveys, photography/videography, capture and
handling, and collection of scat and spew. Procedures to be performed
on capture and/or handled individuals may include: drug administration,
anesthesia, instrumentation, biopsy, marking (including hot branding);
measuring, restraint, biological sampling, and weighing. Parts may be
salvaged from mortalities that occur during research or carcasses
encountered during research activities. Parts collected under this
permit may be exported and imported for analysis, and parts may be
imported from Canadian or Mexican collaborators. Conspecifics may be
unintentionally harassed during research. The permit includes
unintentional mortality for five target species, and hybrids, as well
as intentional mortality of California sea lions (Zalophus
californianus) to study premature and moribund pups. See the
application for detailed numbers by species and procedure. The permit
would be valid for 10 years from the date of issuance.
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: July 22, 2025.
Shannon Bettridge,
Chief, Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Conservation Division, Office of
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-14021 Filed 7-24-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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