# Marine Mammals; File No. 87-1851
**AGENCY:**
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
**SUMMARY:**
Notice is hereby given that Daniel P. Costa, Ph.D., Department of Biology and Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064 has been issued a permit to conduct research on pinnipeds in Antarctica and California.
**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 Jaclyn Daly, (301)713-2289.
**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:**
On August 3, 2006, notice was published in the *Federal Register* (71 FR 44020) that a request for a scientific research permit to conduct research on seals and sea lions had been submitted by the above-named individual. 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 5-year permit authorizes tagging studies and physiological research on seals in Antarctica, including crabeater seals ( *Lobodon carcinophagus* ), southern elephant seals ( *Mirounga leonina* ), leopard seals ( *Hydrurga leptonyx* ), Weddell seals ( *Leptonychotes weddellii* ), and Ross seals ( *Ommatophoca rossii* ). The permit also authorizes research on California sea lions ( *Zalophus californianus* ) to investigate foraging, diving, energetics, food habits, and at-sea distribution along the California coast. Incidental harassment of California sea lions, harbor seals ( *Phoca vitulina* ), northern elephant seals ( *Mirounga augustirostris* ), and northern fur seals ( *Callorhinus ursinus* ) is authorized.
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: February 1, 2007.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.