[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 236 (Thursday, December 9, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69003-69004]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-31970]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 120399B]


Endangered Species; Permits

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

ACTION: Issuance of a modification to scientific research permit 1159.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS has issued a modification to 
scientific research permit 1159 to Dr. Robert Brownell of NMFS 
Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC).

ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for 
review by appointment in the Office of Protected Resources, Endangered 
Species Division, F/PR3, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 
20910 (301-713-1401).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Terri Jordan, Silver Spring, MD (ph: 
301-713-1401, fax: 301-713-0376, e-mail: Terri.J[email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 69004]]

Authority

    Issuance of permits and permit modifications, as required by the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543) (ESA), is based on 
a finding that such permits/modifications: (1) Are applied for in good 
faith; (2) would not operate to the disadvantage of the listed species 
which are the subject of the permits; and (3) are consistent with the 
purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the ESA. Authority to 
take listed species is subject to conditions set forth in the permits. 
Permits and modifications are issued in accordance with and are subject 
to the ESA and NMFS regulations governing listed fish and wildlife 
permits (50 CFR parts 222-226).
    All statements and opinions contained in the permit action summary 
are those of the applicant and do not necessarily reflect the views of 
NMFS.

Species Covered in this Notice

    The following species are covered in this notice: endangered green 
turtle (Chelonia mydas), endangered hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys 
imbricata), endangered leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), 
threatened loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), and endangered olive 
ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea).

Modification Issued

    SWFSC currently possesses a 3-year scientific research permit 
(1159) to take listed sea turtles opportunistically during marine 
mammal research surveys in the eastern tropical Pacific. Authorization 
was granted to take up to 400 turtles over the three year period to 
include the following species: olive ridley, green, leatherback, 
hawksbill, and loggerhead. The turtles would be weighed, photographed, 
flipper tagged, blood sampled, and tissue sampled. Additionally, 
stomach lavage would be performed on captured turtles to identify prey 
items and up to 30 turtles would be outfitted with satellite 
transmitters. The purpose of the research is to obtain data on the 
geographic distribution and stock assessment, migratory and dive 
behavior, and habitat needs and primary foraging areas of turtles at 
sea. On November 10, 1999, SWFSC applied for an emergency modification 
to permit 1159 as a result of unexpectedly high numbers of olive ridley 
turtles encountered during survey efforts. Modification #2 authorizes 
increased take of olive ridley turtles from 330 to 500. No additional 
stomach lavage or satellite tagging is authorized. Modification #2 to 
Permit 1159 was issued on November 23, 1999, authorizing take of listed 
species and is valid for the duration of the permit, which expires 
December 31, 2000.

    Dated: December 6, 1999.
Wanda L. Cain,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-31970 Filed 12-8-99; 8:45 am]
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