[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 174 (Friday, September 6, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47113-47114]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-22725]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 082996B]


Endangered Species; Permits

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

ACTION: Notice of receipt of application for modification 1 to 
scientific research permit 943 (P430A).

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Thomas Savoy of Connecticut 
Department of Environmental Protection (P430A) has applied in due form 
for modification 1 to scientific research permit 943 to take listed 
shortnose sturgeon.

DATES: Written comments or requests for a public hearing on this 
modification request must be received on or before October 7, 1996.

ADDRESSES: The application, permit, 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, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, 
MA 01930-2298 (508-281-9250).
    Written comments, or requests for a public hearing on this 
application should be submitted to the Chief, Endangered Species 
Division, Office of Protected Resources.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Thomas Savoy (P430A) requests modification 1 
under the authority of 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 217-227). The applicant is currently 
authorized to collect, handle, and tag 800 shortnose sturgeon 
(Acipenser brevirostrum) per year in the Connecticut River, within the 
boundaries of the State of Connecticut. These sturgeon are captured 
using gillnets, trammel nets, and trawls; then measured, weighed, sexed 
when possible, and examined for condition, deformities, and previous 
tags. All fish that do not already have a PIT tag receive one in the 
musculature on the left side under the dorsal fin. Ten fish may receive 
a radio or sonic transmitter. The purpose of the research is to 
determine current numbers, locations, and movement patterns of 
shortnose sturgeon within the Connecticut River..

[[Page 47114]]

    The purpose of the modification request is to test theories and 
gain information on spawning and migration. This permit expires March 
31, 2000, and all numbers listed below are for take authorized 
annually. The applicant has requested three changes to the permit. 
First, he wishes to change his take authorization from 800 adult 
shortnose sturgeon to 400 adult shortnose sturgeon and 100 juvenile 
shortnose sturgeon. In addition, the applicant wishes to have the 
authorization to lethally take 150 shortnose sturgeon larvae and 150 
shortnose sturgeon eggs. Second, the applicant wishes to increase the 
number of shortnose sturgeon to be tagged with a radio or sonic 
transmitter from 10 to 25. Third, the applicant wishes to expand the 
location of his study on the Connecticut River, to include southern 
Massachusetts south of the Holyoke Dam.
    Those individuals requesting a hearing should set out the specific 
reasons why a hearing on this particular modification request would be 
appropriate (see ADDRESSES). The holding of such hearing is at the 
discretion of the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA. All 
statements and opinions contained in this application summary are those 
of the applicant and do not necessarily reflect the views of NMFS.

    Dated: August 29, 1996.
Robert C. Ziobro,
Acting Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 96-22725 Filed 9-5-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F