[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 124 (Wednesday, June 26, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 33096]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-16253]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
[I.D. 061396B]


Endangered Species; Permits

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

ACTION: Issuance of permit 989 and permit 1007.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS issued Permit 989 to Dr. 
Scott Eckert of Hubbs Sea World Research Institute (P534A), and Permit 
1007 to Drs. James R. Spotila and Pamela T. Plotkin of Drexel 
University, PA (521C), take 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, Northeast Region, NMFS, NOAA, One Blackburn Drive, 
Gloucester, MA 01930-2298 (508-281-9250) for Permit 1007; or
    Director, Southwest Region, NMFS, NOAA, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 
4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4213 (310-980-4016) for Permit 989.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice was published on January 23, 1996 (61 
FR 1748) that an application had been filed by Dr. Scott Eckert of 
Hubbs Sea World Research Institute (P534A), to take listed species 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). The applicant requested a 2-year permit to 
capture 20 green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) annually in South San 
Diego Bay, take blood samples, attach tags and transmitters, and 
measure heart rate and internal temperature. Some turtles will have 
lavage stomach sampling performed. The purpose of the research is (1) 
to determine habitat preferences, behavioral activity patterns (such as 
foraging behavior), and residence patterns, and (2) to determine 
thermal preferences. Dr. Eckert will coordinate his research efforts 
with Donna McDonald and Dr. Peter Dutton who are working under Permit 
988. On June 7, 1996, NMFS issued Permit 989 authorizing the above 
research.
    Notice was published on May 16, 1996 (61 FR 24760) that an 
application had been filed by Drs. James R. Spotila and Pamela T. 
Plotkin of Drexel University, PA (521C), to take listed sea turtles as 
authorized by the ESA. The applicants requested authorization to 
capture 75 loggerhead (Caretta caretta), 75 Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys 
kempii), 10 green (Chelonia mydas) 5 leatherback (Dermochelys 
coriacea), and 1 hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) sea turtles 
annually in Delaware Bay from June 1996 to October 1997. The turtles 
will be examined, measured, photographed, PIT-tagged, and have blood 
and fecal samples taken. Six turtles will be attached with radio-
transmitters and tracked. One incidental sea turtle mortality is 
requested. The purpose of the research is to assess distribution and 
population dynamics of sea turtles in Delaware Bay, information helpful 
to manage impacts to sea turtles from human activities. On June 18, 
1996, NMFS issued Permit 1007 authorizing the above research.
    Issuance of these permits, as required by the ESA, was based on a 
finding that such permits: (1) Were applied for in good faith, (2) will 
not operate to the disadvantage of the listed species that are the 
subject of the permits, and (3) are consistent with the purposes and 
policies set forth in section 2 of the ESA.

    Dated: June 20, 1996.
Robert C. Ziobro,
Acting Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 96-16253 Filed 6-25-96; 8:45 am]
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