[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 89 (Thursday, May 8, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25174-25175]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-12002]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 050297A]


Endangered Species; Permits

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

ACTION: Issuance of Scientific Research Permit 1033, issuance of 
Modification 1 to Permit 944, issuance of Modification 1 to Permit 984, 
and notice of receipt of application for a Scientific Research Permit 
(P645).

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that on April 23, 1997, NMFS issued a 
scientific research permit (1033) to David A. Nelson, U.S. Army Corps 
of Engineers (P496A), to take listed sea turtles for the purpose of 
scientific research, and issued Modification 1 to permit 944 issued to 
Boyd Kynard, US Geological Survey (P45P), to take listed shortnose 
sturgeon for the purpose of scientific research subject to certain 
conditions set forth therein. On May 1, 1997, NMFS issued Modification 
1 to permit 984 issued to Mary L. Moser and Steve W. Ross of the 
University of North Carolina (P423B), to take listed shortnose sturgeon 
for the purpose of scientific research subject to certain conditions 
set forth therein. Notice is also given that Molly Lutcavage of the New 
England Aquarium (P645) has applied in due form for a scientific 
research permit to take listed sea turtles.

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); or
    Director, Southeast Region, NMFS, NOAA, 9721 Executive Center 
Drive, St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2432 (813-893-3141).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice was published on January 22, 1997 (62 
FR 3270) that an application had been filed by David A. Nelson, U.S. 
Army Corps of Engineers (P496A), 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).
    Mr. Nelson requested a five year permit to tag, track, blood 
sample, and relocate 200 loggerhead (Caretta caretta), 40 green 
(Chelonia mydas), 20 Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii), 1 leatherback 
(Dermochelys coriacea), and 1 hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) sea 
turtle annually. These turtles would be captured incidental to dredging 
activities in the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, as authorized by 
section 7 consultation. The turtles may receive PIT-tags, flipper-tags, 
and radio, satellite, or sonic tags. The research purpose is to 
minimize sea turtle-dredge interactions by determining sea turtle 
habits, abundance, and distribution in shipping channels. On April 23, 
1997, NMFS issued Permit 1033 authorizing the above activities.
    On April 23, 1997, NMFS issued Modification 1 to permit 944 issued 
to Boyd Kynard, U.S. Geological Survey, to take listed shortnose 
sturgeon, 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. Kynard is authorized under Permit 944 to examine, tag, and 
tissue sample adult shortnose sturgeon captured in the Connecticut, 
Merrimack and Hudson Rivers. The original permit authorized the 
collection of 20 tissue samples annually from adult shortnose sturgeon 
for contaminant analysis. Modification 1 to Permit 944 authorizes Dr. 
Kynard to collect an additional 130 tissue samples from adult shortnose 
sturgeon annually in an effort to identify the energetic levels of fall 
migratory fish, spring migratory fish, spawners, and overwintering 
fish.

[[Page 25175]]

    Notice was published on March 21, 1997 (62 FR 13601) that a request 
had been filed by Mary L. Moser and Steve W. Ross (P423B), to modify 
scientific research permit 984, to take listed shortnose sturgeon, 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).
    Drs. Moser and Ross are authorized under Permit 984 to weigh, 
measure, photograph, tag and tissue sample adult shortnose sturgeon in 
North Carolina Rivers. Modification 1, issued by NMFS on May 1, 1997, 
extends Permit 984 until December 31, 2000, removes authorization to 
conduct research in the Alligator and Chowan Rivers, and authorizes 
research in the Pee Dee and Waccamaw Rivers.
    On April 29, 1997, Molly Lutcavage of the New England Aquarium 
submitted an application (P645) for a scientific research permit to 
take listed sea turtles. Dr. Lutcavage has requested a one year permit 
to satellite tag eight (8) listed leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) 
turtles captured incidental in commercial fisheries to determine 
vulnerability of leatherbacks to incidental capture by pelagic longline 
fisheries; to relate specific travel routes of leatherback turtles 
equipped with satellite transmitters to fishing activities and 
oceanographic features; to assist pelagic fishermen in the development 
of fishing techniques that reduce interactions with leatherback 
turtles; and to develop safe handling procedures and satellite 
attachment techniques.
    Issuance of these permits/modifications, as required by the ESA, 
was based on a finding that such permits/modifications: (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/modifications, 
and (3) are consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in 
section 2 of the ESA.

    Dated: May 2, 1997.
Nancy Chu,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 97-12002 Filed 5-7-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F