[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 111 (Tuesday, June 10, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 31576]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-15076]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 052797B]


Endangered Species; Permits

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

ACTION: Issuance of scientific research permit 1051 (P45Z), issuance of 
modification 1 to scientific research permit 875 (P774#1), issuance of 
modification 1 to scientific research permit 1030 (P625), and notice of 
receipt of application for a scientific research permit (P647).

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that on May 29, 1997, NMFS issued 
scientific research permit 1051 to Jorgen Skjeveland, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service (P45Z); on June 4, 1997, NMFS issued modification 1 to 
permit 875 issued to the Director, Northeast Fisheries Science Center; 
and on May 29, 1997, NMFS issued modification 1 to permit 1030 issued 
to Sarah Mitchell, Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary for the 
purpose of scientific research subject to certain conditions set forth 
therein. Notice is also given that Joseph E. Hightower, of North 
Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit has applied in due 
form for a scientific research permit to take listed shortnose sturgeon 
(P647).

ADDRESSES: The application, permit, 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 April 16, 1997 (62 
FR 18588) that an application had been filed by Jorgen Skjeveland, U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service (P45Z), 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).
    The applicant requested a five year permit to take up to 25 listed 
shortnose sturgeon annually from the Upper Chesapeake Bay to determine 
the population status and preferred habitat of the species in the Bay. 
The sturgeon will be measured, tagged, tissue sampled, and released. 
The data collected under this permit will be used to identify dredged 
material disposal sites that will have minimal environmental impact on 
sturgeon species. Notice is hereby given that on May 29, 1997, NMFS 
issued scientific research permit 1051.
    Notice was published on April 9, 1997 (62 FR 17178) that an 
application had been filed by the Northeast Fisheries Science Center, 
National Marine Fisheries Service (P774#1), 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).
    The applicant requested a modification to permit 875 to include an 
increase in the authorized take of leatherback sea turtles from 20 to 
85, and the authorization to take blood samples from sea turtles 
captured incidental to the swordfish drift gillnet fishery. Notice is 
hereby given that on June 4, 1997, NMFS issued modification 1 to permit 
875.
    On May 29, 1997, NMFS issued modification 1 to permit 1030 issued 
to Sarah Mitchell, Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary. Currently, 
Ms. Mitchell is authorized to take loggerhead turtles in the waters of 
the Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary to investigate population 
trends, migrations, habitat, and diving behavior. Modification 1 
authorizes the collection of blood samples from loggerhead turtles 
taken pursuant to the permitted research.
    Joseph E. Hightower, of North Carolina Cooperative Fish and 
Wildlife Research Unit (P647), requests a scientific research permit 
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 has requested a two year permit to conduct scientific 
research on listed shortnose sturgeon within the Albemarle Sound 
estuarine system. A maximum of 25 shortnose sturgeon will be collected 
from the Albemarle Sound to determine the status of shortnose sturgeon 
in the estuary and to examine habitat selection and overlap for 
shortnose sturgeon and juvenile Atlantic sturgeon. The sturgeon will be 
examined, measured, photographed, and tagged. Sonic transmitters will 
be externally attached to the sturgeon to monitor their movement within 
the Sound. The sturgeon will be released immediately following the 
above procedures.
    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: June 4, 1997.
Nancy Chu,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 97-15076 Filed 6-9-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F