<NOTICE>
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
<SUBAGY>National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</SUBAGY>
<DEPDOC>[RTID 0648-XF380]</DEPDOC>
<SUBJECT>Marine Mammals; File No. 29182</SUBJECT>
<HD SOURCE="HED">AGENCY:</HD>
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
<HD SOURCE="HED">ACTION:</HD>
Notice; receipt of application.
<SUM>
<HD SOURCE="HED">SUMMARY:</HD>
Notice is hereby given that Shayna Orens, Cornell University, 235 Hungerford Hill Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850, has applied in due form for a permit to import and export marine mammal parts for scientific research.
</SUM>
<DATES>
<HD SOURCE="HED">DATES:</HD>
Written comments must be received on or before January 14, 2026.
</DATES>
<HD SOURCE="HED">ADDRESSES:</HD>
The application and related documents are available for review by selecting “Records Open for Public Comment” from the “Features” box on the Applications and Permits for Protected Species home page,
<E T="03">https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov,</E>
and then selecting File No. 29182 from the list of available applications. These documents are also available upon written request via email to
<E T="03">NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov.</E>
Written comments on this application should be submitted via email to
<E T="03">NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov.</E>
Please include File No. 29182 in the subject line of the email comment.
Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a written request via email to
<E T="03">NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov.</E>
The request should set forth the specific reasons why a hearing on this application would be appropriate.
<FURINF>
<HD SOURCE="HED">FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:</HD>
Shasta McClenahan, Ph.D. or Jennifer Skidmore, (301) 427-8401.
</FURINF>
<SUPLINF>
<HD SOURCE="HED">SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:</HD>
The subject permit is requested under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361
<E T="03">et seq.</E>
), the regulations governing the taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216), the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531
<E T="03">et seq.</E>
), and the regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226).
The applicant proposes to import and export marine mammal parts from Chile for viral pathogen surveillance. Parts from up to 100 individual cetaceans and 100 individual pinnipeds (excluding walrus) would be obtained annually from authorized researchers or stranded animals. The permit would be valid for 5 years from the date of issuance.
In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321
<E T="03">et seq.</E>
), an initial determination has been made that the activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.
Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the
<E T="04">Federal Register</E>
, NMFS is forwarding copies of the application to the Marine Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.
<SIG>
<DATED>Dated: December 10, 2025.</DATED>
<NAME>Shannon Bettridge,</NAME>
Chief, Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
</SIG>
</SUPLINF>
<FRDOC>[FR Doc. 2025-22752 Filed 12-12-25; 8:45 am]</FRDOC>
</NOTICE>
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