# Marine Mammals; File No. 455-1445
**AGENCY:**
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
**ACTION:**
Issuance of permit amendment.
**SUMMARY:**
Notice is hereby given that the Waikiki Aquarium, 2777 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, Hawaii 96815 (Dr. Cindy Hunter, Principal Investigator) has been issued an amendment to scientific research and enhancement Permit No. 455-1445-03.
**ADDRESSES:**
The amendment and related documents are available for review 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
Protected Species Coordinator, Pacific Islands Regional Office, NMFS, 1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Rm, 1110, Honolulu, HI 96814-4700; phone (808)973-2935; fax (808)973-2941.
**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:**
Amy Sloan 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 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 regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR 222-226), and the Fur Seal Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 *et seq.* ).
This minor amendment extends the expiration date of the permit to maintain Hawaiian monk seals ( *Monachus schauinslandi* ) for scientific research and enhancement purposes from June 30, 2003 to June 30, 2004.
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: June 27, 2003.
Stephen L. Leathery,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.