[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 116 (Tuesday, June 17, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 32768]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-15872]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 061097E]


Endangered Species; Permits

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

ACTION: Notice of receipt of a request to modify permit 962 (P509B).

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Carlos Diez and Robert van Dam, 
Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (P509B) 
have applied in due form to modify Permit 962. This permit authorizes 
the take of listed sea turtles for the purpose of scientific research, 
subject to certain conditions set forth therein.

DATES: Written comments or requests for a public hearing on the request 
to extend Permit 962 must be received on or before July 17, 1997.

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);
    or
    Director, Southeast Region, NMFS, NOAA, 9721 Executive Center 
Drive, St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2432 (813-893-3141).
    Written comments, or requests for a public hearing on the request 
to modify Permit 962 should be submitted to the Chief, Endangered 
Species Division, Office of Protected Resources.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Carlos Diez and Robert van Dam request a 
modification to permit 962, 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 permit currently authorizes the hand capture of 200 listed 
hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) and 20 listed green sea 
turtles (Chelonia mydas) annually, to be examined, photographed, 
measured, and tagged. The research is currently authorized in the 
waters surrounding Mona and Monito Islands, PR. Some of the turtles may 
be lavaged, have blood or scute samples taken, or have time-depth 
recorders attached. The goal of the research is to provide information 
on the ecology and population dynamics of the hawksbill.
    The permittee's have requested the following modifications to their 
permit: 1) an increase in the level of take of hawksbill turtles to a 
total of 300 annually; 2) an increase in the level of take of green 
turtles to a total of 100 annually; 3) authorization to net capture 
green turtles; 4) authorization to include the Puerto Rican Islands of 
Culebra, Vieques, Desecheo, and Caja de Muertos in the study area; 5) 
authorization to collect up to 10 cc's of blood from all turtles taken 
under the authority of this permit for genetic analysis and sex 
determination; and 6) authorization to include Teresa Tellevast, U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, as an agent under this permit. The increase 
in take and additional survey locations will provide additional 
information on the ecology and population dynamics of hawksbill and 
green turtles in Puerto Rican waters.
    Those individuals requesting a hearing on the request to modify 
Permit 962 should set out the specific reasons why a hearing on this 
particular 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 these permit 
summaries are those of the applicant and do not necessarily reflect the 
views of NMFS.

    Dated: June 11, 1997.
Nancy Chu,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 97-15872 Filed 6-16-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F