Federal Register: December 29, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 250)
DOCID: FR Doc E6-22332
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
DOCUMENT ID: [I.D. 122106C]
NOTICE: NOTICES
DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Marine Mammals; File No. 555-1870
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or before January 29, 2007.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
Notice is hereby given that James T. Harvey, Ph.D., Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, 8272 Moss Landing Road, Moss Landing, CA 95039, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct scientific research on harbor seals (Phoca vitulina).
SUMMARY:
Marine mammal permit applications, determinations, etc.,
SUPPLEMENTAL 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).
The applicant proposes to examine the biology and ecology of harbor seals and monitor health and condition of coastal populations of harbor seals in California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska over a 5year period. The primary hypotheses are: (1) actual abundance can be determined using aerial surveys and a correction factor, and distinct stocks exist latitudinally; (2) seals are a major (>5%) source of natural mortality for nearshore fishes and cephalopods; (3) pollutants and anthropogenic inputs are compromising seal health; (4) human disturbance causes increased energetic costs and seals can have significant effects on fisheries; (5) dispersal of juvenile harbor seals increases survival; and (6) male harbor seals establish underwater territories and maintain hierarchies using underwater vocalizations and aggression. To test these hypotheses researchers will capture a maximum of 670 harbor seals annually. An additional 2,910 individuals may be taken annually via Level B harassment by incidental disturbance during capture or scat collection and exposure to playback of vocalizations. Animals captured would have some or all of the following procedures done: mass and morphometrics, blubber depth and biopsy, lavage/enema, flipper tagging and instrument application, blood sample, swabs, and skin and hair sampling. The applicant requests up to two incidental mortalities per year.
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.
Documents may be reviewed in the following locations:
Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 EastWest Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone (301) 7132289; fax (301) 4272521; and
Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, BIN C15700, Bldg. 1, Seattle, WA 981150700; phone (206) 5266150; fax (206) 5266426;
Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 998021668; phone (907) 5867221; fax (907) 5867249; and
Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long
Beach, CA 908024213; phone (562) 9804001; fax (562)9804018. [[Page 78408]]
Dated: December 20, 2006.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E622332 Filed 122806; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 351022S
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Amy Sloan or Dr. Tammy Adams, (301)7132289.