[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 192 (Wednesday, October 2, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 51436]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-25163]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
[I.D. 090696H]


Endangered Species; Permits

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

ACTION: Issuance of permit 1015 and modification 2 to permit 885.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS issued Permit 1015 to Drs. 
Frank A. Chapman and Wallis H, Clark, Jr., of the Department of 
Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Florida (P611), and 
modification 2 to Permit 885 to Mark B. Bain, New York Cooperative Fish 
and Wildlife Research Unit (P555), to take listed shortnose sturgeon 
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/PR3, 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 885;
    or
    Director, Southeast Region, NMFS, NOAA, 9721 Executive Center 
Drive, St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2432 (813-893-3141) for Permit 1015.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice was published on June 6, 1996 (61 FR 
28855) that Drs. Frank A. Chapman and Wallis H, Clark, Jr., of the 
Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Florida 
(P611), had applied for a permit to conduct scientific research on 
shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum), 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 purpose of the research is to identify the physical, 
chemical, and biological parameters necessary for optimal survival and 
growth of shortnose sturgeon. Specific items to be studied are: 
salinity and temperature tolerance, nutrient requirements, embryonic 
development and metamorphosis, sex determination, and gonadal 
development and physiology. 200 shortnose sturgeon would be obtained 
from U.S. Fish and Wildlife hatcheries and transferred to the Permit 
Holders' facilities in Florida to be maintained in captivity. The fish 
would be PIT-tagged, anaesthetized, handled, have blood and tissue 
samples taken, and be spawned and progeny reared, in accordance with 
the application and current handling standards. On September 23, 1996, 
NMFS issued Permit 1015 for five years, authorizing the above research.
    On August 22, 1996, NMFS issued modification 2 to Permit 885 held 
by Mark B. Bain, New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit 
(P555), to take listed shortnose sturgeon as authorized by the ESA. The 
purpose of the authorized research is to study endangered shortnose 
sturgeon in the Hudson River downstream of Albany, NY. Data from this 
project will help to assess the potential impact to shortnose sturgeon 
from development activities in the Hudson River, and may provide 
insight on the complimentary management of shortnose and Atlantic 
sturgeon. In addition, this project seeks to quantify the shortnose 
sturgeon population in the Hudson River. The applicant is authorized to 
collect, measure, weigh, and tag 5,000 shortnose sturgeon annually, and 
take blood and tissue samples from some fish. Two mortalities are 
authorized annually. Modification 2 authorizes the following: 1) 
Stomach sampling on 100 of the shortnose sturgeon, 2) attachment of 
sonic tags to 20 of the shortnose sturgeon, 3) sampling of muscle 
tissue, and 4) extension of the permit expiration date until December 
31, 1998.
    Issuance of this permit and 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 is the subject of the permit and modification, 
and (3) is consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in 
section 2 of the ESA.

    Dated: September 25, 1996.
Robert C. Ziobro,
Acting Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 96-25163 Filed 10-1-96; 8:45 am]
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