Notice2025-15124
Marine Mammals; File No. 28742
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
August 8, 2025
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
Notice is hereby given that the Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California at Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064 (responsible party: Roxanne Beltran, Ph.D.), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris).
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 151 (Friday, August 8, 2025)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 151 (Friday, August 8, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Page 38466]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-15124]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XE876]
Marine Mammals; File No. 28742
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Institute of Marine Sciences,
University of California at Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064
(responsible party: Roxanne Beltran, Ph.D.), has applied in due form
for a permit to conduct research on northern elephant seals (Mirounga
angustirostris).
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before September 8,
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.
28742 from the list of available applications. These documents are also
available upon written request via email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3f7172796c116f4d0e7c5052525a514b4c7f51505e5e11585049"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="632d2e25304d331152200c0e0e060d1710230d0c02024d040c15">[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="f6b8bbb0a5d8a684c7b5999b9b93988285b698999797d8919980">[email protected]</span></a>. Please include File No. 28742 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#9dd3d0dbceb3cdefacdef2f0f0f8f3e9eeddf3f2fcfcb3faf2eb"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d49a999287fa84a6e597bbb9b9b1baa0a794babbb5b5fab3bba2">[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 (16
U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) and the regulations governing the taking and
importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
The applicant requests authorization to continue a long-term
research program started in 1968 to study northern elephant seal
population growth and status, reproductive strategies, behavioral and
physiological adaptations for diving and fasting, general physiology
and metabolism, and sensory physiology. Northern elephant seals may be
captured and handled for research, as well as harassed during research.
Research methods include behavioral observations, marking, flipper
tagging, capture and sampling, active and passive acoustics, attachment
of instruments, translocation studies, short-term captive holding for
laboratory studies, use of hormone challenges and standard clinical
tracer techniques for physiology studies. Research would include all
age and sex classes of northern elephant seals over the entire calendar
year. Proposed research locations include haul-out sites from
California to Washington, but primarily A[ntilde]o Nuevo. Unintentional
harassment of northern elephant seals, California sea lions (Zalophus
californianus), harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), and Steller sea lions
(Eumetopias jubatus) of the Eastern Distinct Population Segment is
requested. Up to 3 unintentional mortalities during research and up to
2 directed mortalities for euthanasia of moribund or orphaned pups, are
requested annually; a maximum of 10 mortalities (unintentional and
intentional combined) would be authorized over the duration of the
permit. The duration of the requested permit is 10 years.
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: August 6, 2025.
Shannon Bettridge,
Chief, Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Conservation Division, Office of
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-15124 Filed 8-7-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on August 8, 2025.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.