FR 2025-00276

In the latest notice from the Federal Register, Heather E. Liwanag, Ph.D., based at California Polytechnic State University, has filed an application for an amendment to her existing Scientific Research Permit No. 27514-01. This amendment pertains specifically to her ongoing research on northern elephant seals in California. The core request revolves around increasing the number of these marine mammals involved in an infrared thermography project, expanding from 25 to 200 non-pups including both juveniles and adults.

General Summary

The document conveys a procedural update from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), inviting public comments on this proposed amendment until February 10, 2025. The amendments are positioned within the regulatory framework provided by the Marine Mammal Protection Act and related statutes. This notice indicates compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, specifying that the proposed activities are deemed not to necessitate an environmental assessment or impact statement.

Significant Issues and Concerns

A notable issue with this notice is the lack of contextual information about the research objectives or the benefits of increasing the sample size of northern elephant seals in the study. Without understanding why an expansion of the study is beneficial or necessary, stakeholders are left with insufficient information to evaluate the merits of the amendment.

Moreover, the document does not discuss any strategies or measures to minimize the unintentional harassment of non-target species like California sea lions, harbor seals, and northern fur seals, which may occur as a result of the expansion.

In terms of regulatory compliance, the document's language is quite technical, particularly in reference to the National Environmental Policy Act compliance. The concept of being "categorically excluded" from the need for further environmental analysis might not be clear for readers without specialized knowledge.

Furthermore, there is an absence of information on financial implications or resource allocation. It would be beneficial to know if the larger scale of the research could lead to increased costs and whether those costs are justified or might result in inefficient use of resources.

Lastly, the document refers to previous related notices and amendments without providing summaries, assuming prior knowledge from the readers. This could disadvantage those unfamiliar with the background of the permit.

Public Impact

Broadly speaking, the document may have limited immediate impact on the general public, as it focuses primarily on scientific inquiry and regulatory compliance. However, the public could have concerns or interests in how scientific research on protected marine species is conducted, especially in terms of ethical considerations and environmental impacts.

Stakeholder Impact

This notice might significantly affect certain stakeholders, such as environmental groups, research institutions, and policymakers. Researchers and scientific communities might view the amendment positively, seeing it as an opportunity for more comprehensive data collection, which could enhance understanding of marine mammal biology and inform conservation efforts.

Conversely, environmental advocacy groups may scrutinize the permit for potential negative outcomes related to increased human interaction with these marine populations. Their concern might extend to the wellbeing of non-target species inadvertently affected by the research.

Overall, while the permit amendment primarily targets scientific stakeholders, its broader environmental implications and regulatory nuances merit careful public scrutiny. A more detailed elucidation of the research goals and protective measures would likely aid in gathering informed public feedback.