[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 218 (Friday, November 12, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65413-65414]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-25210]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 110404E]


Endangered Species; File No. 1260

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

ACTION: Issuance of permit modification.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the NMFS Southeast Fisheries 
Science Center (SEFSC) has been issued a modification to scientific 
research Permit No. 1260.

ADDRESSES: The modification 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
    Southeast Region, NMFS, 9721 Executive Center Drive North, St. 
Petersburg, FL 33702-2432; phone (727)570-5301; fax (727)570-5320.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patrick Opay or Ruth Johnson, 
(301)713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notices were published in the Federal 
Register on July 15, 2004 (69 FR 42426) and July 19, 2004 (69 FR 42970) 
that modifications of Permit No. 1260, issued June 29, 2001 (66 FR 
34621), had been requested by the above-named organization. The 
requested modification has been granted 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 parts 222-226).
    The modification to Permit No. 1260 authorizes the SEFSC to attach 
conventional or pop-up archival tag (PAT) satellite transmitters to the 
pygal region of up to 15 leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) 
that may be boated during the Pelagic Longline Fishery Observers 
project. Additionally, the SEFSC is authorized to handle, flipper and 
passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag, tissue sample and blood 
sample all turtles on all projects under Permit No. 1260 and now has 
the option of deploying either PAT or conventional satellite tags via a 
tether attachment to the 20 loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) 
for which satellite tagging was already authorized under the existing 
Pelagic Longline Fishery Observers project.
    The modification also authorizes the annual hoop netting or dip 
netting, measuring, weighing, flipper and PIT tagging, tissue 
biopsying, blood sampling and release of an additional 100 leatherback, 
120 loggerhead, 100 green (Chelonia mydas), 50 hawksbill (Eretmochelys 
imbricata), 50 Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) and 20 olive ridley 
(Lepidochelys olivacea) sea turtles. A subset of 20 of the 
leatherbacks, 20 of the loggerheads, 20 of the greens, 20 of the 
hawksbills, 20 of the Kemp's ridleys and 5 of the olive ridleys 
captured annually will have satellite transmitters attached to them. 
None of the activities authorized under this modification are expected 
to result in mortality. The research will be conducted in waters of the 
Atlantic Ocean (including the Caribbean) and Gulf of Mexico during the 
remainder of the permit which expires June 30, 2006. The purpose of the 
research is to gather the necessary information to implement NMFS 
management activities as required by the ESA and implementing 
regulations.
    Issuance of this modification, as required by the ESA was based on 
a finding that such permit (1) was applied for in good faith, (2) will 
not operate to the disadvantage of the endangered and threatened 
species which are the subject of this permit, and (3) is consistent 
with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the ESA.


[[Page 65414]]


    Dated: November 5, 2004.
Stephen L. Leathery,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 04-25210 Filed 11-10-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S