[Federal Register: June 19, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 117)]
[Notices]
[Page 35255]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19jn06-44]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 060906A]
Marine Mammals; File Nos. 1093-1834 and 774-1847
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; withdrawal of application, and receipt of application.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given of the following two actions related to
permits for research on marine mammals: Susan Shaw, PhD., Executive
Director, Marine Environmental Research Institute, 55 Main Street, P.O.
Box 1652, Blue Hill, ME 04614 (File No. 1093-1834) has withdrawn her
application for a permit to conduct research on harbor seals (Phoca
vitulina concolor) in Maine; and the NMFS Southwest Fisheries Science
Center, Antarctic Marine Living Resources Program (Rennie Holt, Ph.D.,
Principal Investigator), 8604 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037
(File No. 774-1847) has applied in due form for a permit to conduct
research on Antarctic fur seals (Arctophalus gazell) and leopard seals
(Hydrurga leptonyx).
ADDRESSES: The documents related to these actions are available for
review upon written request or by appointment in the following offices:
Both files:
Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected
Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD
20910; phone (301)713-2289; fax (301)427-2521;
File No. 1093-1834:
Northeast Region, NMFS, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-
2298; phone (978)281-9300; fax (978)281-9394;and
File No. 774-1847:
Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long
Beach, CA 90802-4213; phone (562)980-4001; fax (562)980-4018.
Written comments or requests for a public hearing on the
application File No. 774-1847 should be mailed to the Chief, Permits,
Conservation and Education Division, F/PR1, Office of Protected
Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD
20910. Those individuals requesting a hearing should set forth the
specific reasons why a hearing on this particular request would be
appropriate.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kate Swails or Tammy Adams, (301)713-
2289.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 14, 2006 a notice was published in
the Federal Register (71 FR 13102) that an application had been filed
by Susan Shaw. The applicant requested a 5-year permit to investigate
the utility of free-ranging harbor seals as a mammalian sentinel
species for coastal contamination and associated health risks for top
consumers in the marine food chain. After completing revisions the
applicant plans to resubmit the application in the fall.
A permit (File No. 774-1847) 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), and the Fur Seal Act of 1966, as
amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).
The applicant requests a five-year permit to continue a long-term
ecosystem monitoring program of pinniped species in the South Shetland
Islands, Antarctica. The applicant proposes to take up to 710 Antarctic
fur seals and 20 leopard seals annually. The animals would be captured,
measured, weighed, tagged, blood sampled, and have time-depth
recorders, VHF transmitters, and platform terminal transmitters
attached. A subset of fur seals would be given an enema, have a tooth
extracted, milk sampled, and be part of a doubly-labeled water study on
energetics. A subset of leopard seals would be blubber and muscle
sampled. Additionally, the applicant would conduct regional census
surveys. The applicant also requests authorization for the research-
related mortality of up to three Antarctic fur seals and one leopard
seal annually.
Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal
Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of the application File No. 774-
1847 to the Marine Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific
Advisors.
Dated: June 12, 2006.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E6-9496 Filed 6-16-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S