[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 174 (Friday, September 8, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 53089]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-7521]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[I.D. 081806E]


Marine Mammals and Endangered Species; National Marine Fisheries 
Service File No. 116-1691; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service File No. PRT-
062475

AGENCIES: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce; U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service (USFWS), Interior.

ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Sea World, Inc., 7007 Sea World 
Drive, Orlando, Florida 32821 (Todd Robeck, D.V.M., Ph.D., Responsible 
Party and Principal Investigator) has been issued a permit to collect, 
receive, import, and export marine mammal specimens for scientific 
research purposes.

ADDRESSES: The permit and related documents are available for review 
upon written request or by appointment in the following office(s):
    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; and
    Southeast Region, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, FL 
33701; phone (727)824-5312; fax (727)824-5309.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Sloan or Jennifer Skidmore, 
(301)713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 9, 2003, notice was published in 
the Federal Register (68 FR 58316) that a request for a scientific 
research permit had been submitted by the above-named organization. The 
requested permit has been issued under the authority of the Marine 
Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the 
regulations governing the taking and importing of marine mammals (50 
CFR parts 18 and 216), the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended 
(ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and the regulations governing the 
taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species 
(50 CFR parts 222-226).
    Sea World, Inc., has been issued a scientific research permit to 
collect, receive, import, and export a specified number of marine 
mammal specimens under the jurisdiction of NMFS and USFWS to study 
reproductive physiology, including endocrinology, gamete biology, 
cryophysiology, and assisted reproductive techniques. Species 
authorized include bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), beluga 
whale (Delphinapterus leucas), killer whale (Orcinus orca), Pacific 
white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens), Commerson's dolphin 
(Cephalorhynchus commersonii), short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus 
delphis), false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens), Baiji (Lipotes 
vexillifer), Vaquita (Phocoena sinus), and walrus (Odobenus rosmarus). 
Only specimens collected legally and in a humane manner would be 
authorized by the permit. Sources of samples may include animals that 
have already died and from captive animals during routine husbandry 
procedures. No animals may be intentionally killed for the purpose of 
collecting specimens, and no money can be offered for the specimens. 
Specimens may be taken world-wide at anytime of the year for up to five 
years.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an environmental assessment was prepared 
analyzing the effects of the permitted activities. After a Finding of 
No Significant Impact, the determination was made that it was not 
necessary to prepare an environmental impact statement.
    Issuance of this permit, as required by the ESA, was based on a 
finding that such permit: (1) Was applied for in good faith; (2) will 
not operate to the disadvantage of such endangered species; and (3) is 
consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the 
ESA.

    Dated: September 1, 2006.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
    Dated: September 1, 2006.
Charlie R. Chandler,
Chief, Branch of Permits, Division of Management Authority, U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 06-7521 Filed 9-7-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S