[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 230 (Wednesday, November 29, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71092-71093]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-30419]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 111700A]


Endangered Species; Permits

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

ACTION: Issuance of modifications to existing permits (1113).

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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 
modifications to scientific research permits to: Dr. Cheryl Woodley, 
NOS-Marine Forensics Laboratory - Charleston, SC (1113).

ADDRESSES: For permit 1113: Endangered Species Division, Office of

[[Page 71093]]

Protected Resources, NMFS, 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: [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 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).

Species Covered in This Notice

    The following species and evolutionarily significant units (ESU's) 
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), and 
Olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea).

Fish

    All listed ESUs of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), Chum 
salmon (Oncorhynchus keta), Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), Sockeye 
salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), and Steelhead Trout(Oncorhynchus mykiss).

Permits and Modifications Issued

    NMFS received an application from Dr. Cheryl Woodley, of NOS - 
Marine Forensics Laboratory to modify research permit 1113 on 
August 23, 2000. The applicant currently possesses a permit authorizing 
the possession of tissue samples from ESA-listed non-marine mammal and 
non-reptilian species under NMFS jurisdiction associated with genetic 
research studies and support of law enforcement actions. Law 
enforcement personnel have an ongoing need for scientific assistance in 
cases concerning endangered, protected, and managed marine species. The 
Marine Forensics Center provides technical/scientific assistance to a 
variety of law enforcement agencies including NMFS Enforcement, U.S. 
Customs, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and state wildlife enforcement 
agencies. Forensics analyses generally involve a biochemical or genetic 
test when a comparison is made between evidence and voucher samples. 
Voucher samples which are used in a forensics analysis are collected 
and maintained under strict criteria that includes documentation 
(species identification form) from the expert who has authenticated the 
samples; a chain of custody which originates with the sample 
collection; and storage under secure conditions. The research will 
provide species identifications and is expected to extend to addressing 
other critical genetics information needs that will allow monitoring of 
recovery, characterization of genetic stocks and various aspects of 
genetic health for the species.
    The applicant is not to conduct any field collection exercises to 
obtain the samples. All of the samples must be obtained from other 
previously authorized activities (permitted scientific research 
activities, or specimens confiscated by law enforcement authorities) 
and documented as described above.
    Although the activities proposed by the applicant will not result 
in the take of a listed species, NOS - Forensics center has requested a 
permit to allow them to maintain tissues of species that were taken in 
violation of the ESA that may be given to them by law enforcement 
authorities.
    Modification 1 requests that marine reptile species under 
NMFS jurisdiction be added to the authorized species covered under this 
permit. NMFS has also added newly listed ESUs of Pacific Salmon to the 
permit per permit special condition 2.e. Modification 1 to 
Permit 1113 was issued on November 9, 2000, authorizing take of listed 
species. Permit expires December 31, 2003.

    Dated: November 22, 2000.
Margaret Lorenz,
Acting Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 00-30419 Filed 11-28-00; 8:45 am]
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