# Marine Mammals; File No. 559-1442
**AGENCY:**
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
**ACTION:**
Issuance of permit amendment.
**SUMMARY:**
Notice is hereby given that Mr. Salvatore Cerchio, Department of Biology and Museum of Zoology, 1109 Geddes Ave. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1079, has been issued an amendment to scientific research Permit No. 559-144200 to extend the expiration date through June 30, 2003.
**ADDRESSES:**
The amendment and related documents are available for re-view upon written request or by appointment in the following office(s):
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
Northeast Region, NMFS, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-2298; phone (978)281-9200; fax (978)281-9371.
**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:**
Jennifer Skidmore or Ruth Johnson, (301)713-2289.
**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:**
The requested amendment has been granted under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 *et seq.* ), the provisions of 50 CFR 216.39 of 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.), the provisions of the regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226).
Issuance of this amendment, as required by the ESA was based on a finding that such permit: (1) Was applied for in good faith; (2) will not operate to the disadvantage of the endangered species which is the subject of this permit; and (3) is consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the ESA.
Dated: February 24, 2003.
Stephen L. Leathery,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.