[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 101 (Thursday, May 24, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 28733]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-13173]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 051701F]


Marine Mammals; File No. 1007-1629

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 Leszek Karczmarski, Ph.D., Marine 
Mammal Research Program, Texas A&M University, 4700 Avenue U, Building 
303, Galveston, Texas 77551, has applied in due form for a permit to 
take spinner dolphins, Stenella longirostris, for purposes of 
scientific research.

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before June 
25, 2001.

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 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; 
phone (301) 713-2289; fax (301) 713-0376; and
    Protected Species Coordinator, Pacific Area Office, NMFS, 1601 
Kapiolani Blvd., Rm, 1110, Honolulu, HI 96814-4700; phone (808) 973-
2935; fax (808) 973-2941; and
    Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long 
Beach, CA 90802-4213; phone (562) 980-4001; fax (562) 980-4018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jill Lewandowski or Lynne Barre, (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.) and the Regulations Governing the Taking 
and Importing of Marine Mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    Specific research objectives include: (a) comparing population 
structure and social behavior; (b) assessing the genetic differences 
between the groups/populations in the three atolls and estimating the 
rate of gene flow; (c) determining intra- and inter-group associations 
and intra- and inter-sexual relationships; (d) assessing the effects of 
social behavior on genetic diversity and population structure relative 
to the geographic distance between the atolls; and (e) producing an 
evolutionary model of spinner dolphin social structure and mating 
system relative to habitat, where both ecological and social selective 
pressures are considered.
    In meeting these research objectives, the applicant requests 
authorization to take 1,400 individual spinner dolphins annually by 
photo-identification and behavioral observation (both above and below 
water) and 400 individual spinner dolphins annually through the 
collection of genetic swab samples with a maximum of 700 swab samples 
collected over the course of the permit. The applicant also requests 
authorization to take additional individual spinner dolphins incidental 
to the above listed research activities.
    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: May 5, 2001.
E. Ruth Johnson,
Acting Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 01-13173 Filed 5-23-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S