[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 72 (Thursday, April 14, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 20957]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-9019]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA363


Marine Mammals; File No. 14352

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

ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit amendment.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Dr. Gregory Bossart, Georgia 
Aquarium, 225 Baker Street, NW., Atlanta, GA 30313 has been issued a 
major amendment to Permit No. 14352.

ADDRESSES: The permit amendment and related documents are available for 
review upon written request or by appointment in the following offices:
    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) 713-0376; and
    Southeast Region, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, 
Florida 33701; phone (727) 824-5312; fax (727) 824-5309.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carrie Hubard or Kristy Beard, (301) 
713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 6, 2010, notice was published in 
the Federal Register (75 FR 47537) that a request for an amendment to 
Permit No. 14352 to conduct research on bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops 
truncatus) had been submitted by the above-named applicant. The 
requested permit amendment has been issued under the authority of the 
Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et 
seq.), and the regulations governing the taking and importing of marine 
mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    The permit has been amended to authorize research in a new study 
area: Charleston, South Carolina. Fifty bottlenose dolphins may be 
captured, sampled, and released in Charleston annually. Captured 
dolphins will receive a health assessment clinical workup. All captured 
animals will receive a roto tag. Up to ten animals per year will also 
receive a VHF tag. Samples will be analyzed to examine a variety of 
health topics such as: infectious diseases, immune status, contaminant 
exposure, antibiotic resistance, and genetics. An additional 400 
dolphins per year may be harassed during pre- and post-capture surveys. 
The amended permit is valid until October 31, 2014.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), a final determination has been made that the 
activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to 
prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.

    Dated: April 6, 2011.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-9019 Filed 4-13-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P