Notice2026-19789
Marine Mammals; File No. 29889
Primary source
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Published
September 28, 2026
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
Notice is hereby given that NMFS' Southwest Fisheries Science Center, 8901 La Jolla Shores Dr., La Jolla, CA 92037 (Responsible Party: Douglas Krause, Ph.D.), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on pinnipeds in the Antarctic peninsula region.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 186 (Monday, September 28, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 186 (Monday, September 28, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Page 61207]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-19789]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XG082]
Marine Mammals; File No. 29889
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' Southwest Fisheries Science
Center, 8901 La Jolla Shores Dr., La Jolla, CA 92037 (Responsible
Party: Douglas Krause, Ph.D.), has applied in due form for a permit to
conduct research on pinnipeds in the Antarctic peninsula region.
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before October 28, 2026.
ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for
review upon written request via email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#723c3f34215c220043311d1f1f171c0601321c1d13135c151d04"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0f4142495c215f7d3e4c6062626a617b7c4f61606e6e21686079">[email protected]</span></a>.
Written comments on this application should be submitted via email
to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a0eeede6f38ef0d291e3cfcdcdc5ced4d3e0cecfc1c18ec7cfd6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="743a3932275a240645371b1919111a0007341a1b15155a131b02">[email protected]</span></a>. Please include File No. 29889 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#85cbc8c3d6abd5f7b4c6eae8e8e0ebf1f6c5ebeae4e4abe2eaf3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0846454e5b26587a394b6765656d667c7b4866676969266f677e">[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 proposes to take six pinniped species in the
Antarctic Peninsula region, primarily at Cape Shirreff, Livingston
Island, as part of a long-term ecosystem monitoring and research
program established in 1986. The six species are: Antarctic fur seals
(Arctocephalus gazella), southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina),
crabeater seals (Lobodon carcinophaga), leopard seals (Hydrurga
leptonyx), Ross seals (Ommatophoca rossii), and Weddell seals
(Leptonychotes weddellii). The applicant also requests permission to
import tissue samples collected from any animals captured and from
salvaged carcasses of any species of pinniped or cetacean found in the
study area.
The applicant requests to capture and handle Antarctic fur seals,
leopard seals, and Weddell seals. Research on captured animals could
include administering drugs or other substances, capture and restraint,
external and internal instrumentation, other intrusive sampling, and
marking. Additional Antarctic fur seals, leopard seals, and Weddell
seals, as well as southern elephant seals, crabeater seals, and Ross
seals would be taken annually by harassment during aerial and ground
surveys, including behavioral observations, photo-identification, and
use of uncrewed aircraft systems. The applicant has requested an annual
mortality allowance of: two Antarctic fur seal adults or juveniles;
five Antarctic fur seal pups; two leopard seal adults or juveniles; and
two Weddell seal adults or juveniles. The research would occur over 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: September 24, 2026.
Larissa Plants,
Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-19789 Filed 9-25-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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