# Marine Mammals; File No. 763-1845
**AGENCY:**
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
**ACTION:**
Notice; issuance of permit.
**SUMMARY:**
Notice is hereby given that the Smithsonian National Zoological Park (SNZP), 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 (John Berry, Responsible Party) has been issued a permit to conduct research on Weddell seals ( *Leptonychotes weddelliis* ) and import marine mammal specimens for scientific research.
**ADDRESSES:**
The permit 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)427-2521; 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:**
Amy Sloan or Tammy Adams, (301)713-2289.
**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:**
On May 3, 2006, notice was published in the *Federal Register* (71 FR 26073) that a request for a scientific research permit to take the species identified above had been submitted by the above-named organization. The requested permit 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 SNZP has been issued a permit to study maternal investment, maternal and pup diving behavior, and the onset of feeding by mother and pup Weddell seals in Antarctica. Over a 2-year period, researchers will capture mother-pup pairs and weaned pups for weighing, administering isotopes, collecting blood and milk samples, and attachment/removal of time-depth recorders and radio transmitters. Samples from Weddell seals and from non-endangered marine mammals may be imported into the U.S. and re-exported for scientific analysis over a 5-year period.
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: September 8, 2001.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.