[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 194 (Thursday, October 5, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59394-59395]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-25622]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D.092800D]


Endangered Species; Permits

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

ACTION: Issuance of scientific research permit (1253) and a 
modification to a scientific research permit (1190).

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given of the following actions regarding 
permits for takes of endangered and threatened species for the purposes 
of scientific research and/or enhancement: NMFS has issued permits to: 
Carlos Diez and Robert Van Dam, Puerto Rico DNR (PR-DNR) (1253); and 
NMFS has issued modifications to scientific research permits to: NMFS-
Southwest Region (1190).

DATES: Comments or requests for a public hearing on any of the new 
applications or modification requests must be received at the 
appropriate address or fax number no later than 5 p.m. eastern standard 
time on November 6, 2000.

ADDRESSES:  Written comments on any of the new applications or 
modification requests should be sent to the appropriate office as 
indicated below. Comments may also be sent via fax to the number 
indicated for the application or modification request. Comments will 
not be accepted if submitted via e-mail or the Internet. The 
applications and related documents are available for review in the 
indicated office, by appointment:
    For permits 1253, 1190: Office of Protected Resources, Endangered 
Species Division, F/PR3, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 
20910 (ph: 301-713-1401, fax: 301-713-0376).

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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

[[Page 59395]]

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).
    Those individuals requesting a hearing on an application listed in 
this notice should set out the specific reasons why a hearing on that 
application 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 the permit 
action summaries 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:

Sea Turtles

    Green turtle (Chelonia mydas), Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys 
imbricata), Kemp's ridley turtle (Lepidochelys kempii), Leatherback 
turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta).

Fish

    Shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum).

Permits and Modifications Issued

    Notice was published on May 23, 2000 (65 FR 34445) that Mr. Carlos 
E. Diez, of Department of Natural and Environmental Resources applied 
for a scientific research permit (1253). The purpose of the research is 
to provide information on the ecology and population dynamics of the 
hawksbill and green turtles that inhabit the waters surrounding Puerto 
Rico and its adjacent islands (Mona, Monito, Desecheo, Caja-de-Muertos, 
Viques and Culebra). This research will improve the effectiveness of 
management efforts by addressing priorities set forth in the recovery 
plans for both species: (1) identification of important marine 
habitats; (2) determination of adult and juvenile distribution and 
abundance; (3) determination of sex ratios in the juvenile population; 
(4) evaluation of the extent of ingestion of persistent marine debris; 
(5) determination of growth rates and age at sexual maturity, and (6) 
quantification of threats to adults and juveniles on foraging grounds. 
Permit 1253 was issued on September 22, 2000, authorizing take of 
listed species. Permit 1253 expires July 31, 2005.
    Notice was published on April 14, 2000 (65 FR 20138) that the 
Southwest Region, NMFS applied for a modification to 1190. Modification 
#1 authorizes and increase in the annual take of olive ridley turtles 
from 10 to 25. The purpose of the research is to document and evaluate 
the incidental take of pelagic turtles by the longline fishery, to help 
estimate the impact of the fishery on listed turtles as individuals and 
as populations, and to determine methods to reduce that impact. 
Research will evaluate how incidental captures affect sea turtle 
anatomy and physiology as a function of season, location of take, water 
temperature, species, size, time of day, and gear configuration. The 
results of the research will help NMFS to better meet the goals and 
objectives of the Pacific Sea Turtle Recovery Plans, the Hooking 
Mortality Workshop, and the requirements of Section 7 Biological 
Opinions developed for this fishery, and ultimately, to fulfill ESA 
responsibilities to protect, conserve, and recover listed species.
    Incidentally-captured turtles will be examined, tagged, weighed, 
measured, resuscitated using approved techniques, have tissue samples 
taken, and be released. Some of these turtles will have transmitters 
attached. Dead turtles will be removed from the marine environment for 
research purposes, including necropsy and collection of life history 
data. Tissue samples may be used lab studies including the following: 
toxicology, histopathology, and genetic studies to identify nesting 
origins of incidentally taken turtles. Modification #1 to Permit 1190 
was issued on September 21, 2000, authorizing take of listed species. 
Permit 1190 expires March 31, 2004.

    Dated: September 29, 2000.
Wanda L. Cain,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 00-25622 Filed 10-4-00; 8:45 am]
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