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[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 224 (Monday, November 20, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69737-69738]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-29638]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 103000C]

Marine Mammals; File No. 821-1588

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Receipt of application.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Texas A&M University, Department 
of Marine Biology, 5007 Avenue U, Galveston, TX 776551, (Principal 
Investigator: Dr. Randall W. Davis), has applied in due form for a 
permit to take marine mammals for purposes of scientific research.

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before 
December 20, 2000.

ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for 
review upon written request or by appointment in the following 
office(s):
    Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13130, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301/
713-2289);
    Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, NMFS, 9721 Executive 
Center Drive North, St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2432 (813/570-5312);and
    Regional Administrator, Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean 
Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4213 (562/980-4001).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ruth Johnson and Simona Roberts, 301/
713-2289.

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.), and the 
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of 
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR 222-227).
    The application has three different projects: PROJECT I. -- Hunting 
Behavior and Energics of Weddell Seals: Up to 40 Weddell seals 
(Leptonychotes weddellii) will be captured, tagged, handled, annually. 
The study will investigate the behavioral and energetic adaptations 
that enable Weddell seals to forage in the Antarctic fast-ice 
environment. Hypotheses on general

[[Page 69738]]

foraging strategies, searching behavior, searching mechanics, modes of 
swimming, metabolic costs of foraging and foraging efficiency for 
different environmental conditions and prey type will be tested. 
Activities will occur in Antarctica.
    PROJECT II -- Stock Assessment: Up to 28 species of cetaceans will 
be taken by photo-id/photogrammery, behavioral observation, biopsy 
sampling and satellite tagging. The goals of this research are to study 
cetacean behavior through direct observation and by attaching SLTDRs 
and video camera/data recorders to certain species.
    PROJECT III -- Physiological Adaptations and Genetics Using Tissues 
of Marine Mammals: Import/export specimen materials from South Africa, 
Canada, and other locations as specimens may become available. This 
study of diving adaptations of marine mammals muscle, skeletal 
material, and other related samples will be obtained from South Africa, 
Canada, and possibly other locations.
    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.
    Written comments or requests for a public hearing on this 
application should be mailed to the Chief, Permits and Documentation 
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.
    Comments may also be submitted by facsimile at (301) 713-0376, 
provided the facsimile is confirmed by hard copy submitted by mail and 
postmarked no later than the closing date of the comment period. Please 
note that comments will not be accepted by e-mail or by other 
electronic media.
    Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal 
Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of this application to the Marine 
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.

    Dated: November 7, 2000.
Ann D. Terbush,
Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 00-29638 Filed 11-17-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
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