[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 198 (Tuesday, October 14, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 59163]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-25925]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 100703B]


Endangered Species; File No. 1448

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

ACTION: Receipt of application

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Northeast Fisheries Science 
Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, 166 Water Street, Woods 
Hole, MA 02543-1097, has applied in due form for a permit to take 
loggerhead (Caretta caretta), leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), 
Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii), green (Chelonia mydas), and 
hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) sea turtles for purposes of 
scientific research.

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before 
November 13, 2003.

ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for 
review upon written request or by appointment in the following 
office(s):
    Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 
20910; phone (301) 713-2289; fax (301) 713-0376; and
    Northeast Region, NMFS, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-
2298; phone (978) 281-9200; fax (978) 281-9371.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patrick Opay, (301) 713-1401 or Sarah 
Wilkin, (301) 713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is requested under the 
authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and the regulations governing the taking, 
importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR 
222-226).
    The applicant proposes to conduct biological sampling of sea 
turtles incidentally taken in commercial fisheries in state waters and 
the Exclusive Economic Zone in the northwest Atlantic Ocean. The 
primary objectives of the proposed research are to determine the size 
and composition of populations of sea turtles found in the commercial 
fishing areas and to establish individual identities of turtles which 
will permit subsequent determination of growth rates, possible stock 
origins and movement patterns. The research will contribute to the 
understanding of the pelagic ecology of these species, permit more 
complete models of their population dynamics, and allow more reliable 
assessments of commercial fishery impacts.
    The researchers will sample turtles which have already been taken 
in legally operating commercial fisheries operating from the Gulf of 
Maine through North Carolina. The applicant proposes to photograph, 
measure, scan for PIT tags, biopsy sample, flipper tag and transport 
300 loggerhead, 85 leatherback, 10 Kemp's ridley, 10 green, and 10 
hawksbill sea turtles annually. The applicant is requesting a 5 year 
permit. No mortalities are expected as a result of this research.
    Written comments or requests for a public hearing on this 
application should be mailed to the Chief, Permits, Conservation and 
Education Division, F/PR1, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 
East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Those 
individuals requesting a hearing should set forth the specific reasons 
why a hearing on this particular request would be appropriate.
    Comments may also be submitted by facsimile at (301) 713-0376, 
provided the facsimile is confirmed by hard copy submitted by mail and 
postmarked no later than the closing date of the comment period. Please 
note that comments will not be accepted by e-mail or by other 
electronic media.

    Dated: October 8, 2003.
Jill Lewandowski,
Acting Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 03-25925 Filed 10-10-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S