Marine Mammals; File No. 21966
Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 39 (Tuesday, February 27, 2018)
Federal Register Volume 83, Number 39 (Tuesday, February 27, 2018)
Notices
Page 8437
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov
FR Doc No: 2018-03875
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XG026
Marine Mammals; File No. 21966
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 Mystic Aquarium, 55 Coogan Boulevard, Mystic, CT 06355 (Responsible Party: Katie Cubina), has applied in due form for a permit to collect, receive, import, and export marine mammal parts for scientific research.
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or before March 29, 2018.
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, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File No. 21966 from the list of available applications.
These documents are also available upon written request or by appointment in the Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone (301) 427-8401; fax (301) 713-0376.
Written comments on this application should be submitted to the Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, at the address listed above. Comments may also be submitted by facsimile to (301) 713-0376, or by email to email protected. Please include the File No. 21966 in the subject line of the email comment.
Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a written request to the Chief, Permits and Conservation Division at the address listed above. The request should set forth the specific reasons why a hearing on this application would be appropriate.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shasta McClenahan 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.), 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 collect, receive, import, and export biological samples from up to 5,000 pinnipeds and 5,000 cetaceans annually for scientific research. Receipt, import, and export is requested worldwide. The foreign and domestic sources of samples may include captive animals, subsistence harvests, other authorized researchers, animals that died incidental to legal commercial fisheries, and marine mammal strandings in foreign countries. The requested duration of the permit is 5 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: February 21, 2018.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
FR Doc. 2018-03875 Filed 2-26-18; 8:45 am
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
