[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 197 (Thursday, October 12, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 53170]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-25198]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
[I.D. 100495A]


Endangered Species; Permits

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Issuance of permit 981, and modification 1 to permit 962.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS issued Permit 981 to David 
Owens of Texas A&M University (P531A), and Modification 1 to Permit 962 
held by Carlos Diez and Robert van Dam of the University of Central 
Florida (P509B). Both permits authorize the take of listed sea turtles 
for the purpose of scientific research, subject to certain conditions 
set forth therein.

ADDRESSES: The applications, permits, and related documents are 
available for review by appointment in the following offices:
    Office of Protected Resources, F/PR8, NMFS, 1315 East-West Hwy., 
Room 13307, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3226 (301-713-1401); and
    Director, Southeast Region, NMFS, NOAA 9721 Executive Center Drive, 
St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2432 (813-893-3141).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A notice was published on July 21, 1995 (60 
FR 37627) that an application had been filed by David Owens of Texas 
A&M University (P531A), to take listed sea turtles as authorized by the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543) and NMFS 
regulations governing listed fish and wildlife permits (50 CFR parts 
217-222). Dr. Owens has requested authorization to conduct scientific 
research on listed sea turtles in the Flower Garden Banks National 
Marine Sanctuary and Stetson Bank (reef systems), through 1996. The 
purpose of the research is to study habitat use, migratory patterns, 
and feeding biology of loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and hawksbill 
(Eretmochelys imbricata) sea turtles. Twenty loggerhead and four 
hawksbill sea turtles will be captured by hand, attached with tags and 
transmitters, have blood samples taken for genetic identification and 
sex determination, have ultrasonography (a non-invasive technique) 
conducted to identify pre-reproductive females, and have stomach lavage 
conducted to determine diet. In addition, turtles may be observed and 
filmed to determine feeding habits and forage/prey preferences. On 
September 27, 1995, NMFS issued a permit authorizing this take.
    Carlos Diez of the University of Central Florida (P509B) has 
requested a modification to Permit 962, authorizing the sampling of 
scute material from 30 hawksbill turtles in the waters of Mona and 
Monito Islands, Puerto Rico. On October 4, 1995, NMFS issued a permit 
authorizing this take.
    Issuance of this permit and permit modification, as required by the 
ESA, was based on a finding that such permit and modification: (1) Were 
applied for in good faith, (2) will not operate to the disadvantage of 
the listed species that are the subject of the permit and modification, 
and (3) are consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in 
section 2 of the ESA.

    Dated: October 5, 1995.
Russell J. Bellmer,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-25198 Filed 10-11-95; 8:45 am]
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