[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 66 (Monday, April 7, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 16562]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-8757]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 040197A]


Marine Mammals; Scientific Research Permits (PHF#s 779_1339 and 
849_1341)

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

ACTION: Receipt of applications.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the following applicants, have 
applied in due form for a permit to take take and/or import marine 
mammals for purposes of scientific research.
    The Southeast Fisheries Science Center, NMFS (PHF#779_1339), 75 
Virginia Beach Drive, Miami, FL 33149; and
    The University of Oklahoma, Department of Zoology, 730 Van Vleet 
Oval, Norman, OK 73019-0235.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before May 7, 1997.

ADDRESSES: The applications and related documents are available for 
review upon written request or by appointment in the following 
office(s):
    Permits Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-
West Highway, Room 13130, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301/713-2289); and
     Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, NMFS, 9721 Executive 
Center Drive North, St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2432 (813-570-5301).
    Written data or views, or requests for a public hearing on these 
requests, should be submitted to the Director, Office of Protected 
Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13130, 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.
    Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal 
Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of the applications to the Marine 
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permits are 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 fish and wildlife (50 CFR 222.23).
    Southeast Fisheries Science Center (PHF# 779-1339) requests a 
permit to (1) harass all species of cetaceans for the purpose of 
estimating abundance, collecting behavioral data, photography and 
biopsy sampling, and (2) collect and import biopsy tissue samples taken 
with a projectile dart. Activities will occur in the North Atlantic 
Ocean including the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, U.S. territorial 
seas and international waters.
    University of Oklahoma, Department of Zoology (PHF# 849-1341) 
requests authority to import two skeletal remains of the South American 
dolphin (Sotalia fluviatilis) from Managua, Nicaragua for deposit at 
the Oklahoma Museum of Natural History for use in scientific research 
projects. The axial skeletons and skulls were found on the beach and 
are being held by the Nicaraguan Government pending receipt of 
appropriate permits.

    Dated: April 1, 1997.
Ann D. Terbush,
Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 97-8757 Filed 4-4-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F