[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 45 (Wednesday, March 9, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 11619]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-4621]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 022505D]


Endangered Species; File No. 1509

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

ACTION: Receipt of application.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Jeanette Wyneken, Florida Atlantic 
University, Department of Biological Sciences, 777 Glades Rd., Boca 
Raton, FL 33431, has applied in due form for a permit to take 
loggerhead (Caretta caretta) sea turtles for purposes of scientific 
research.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or 
before April 8, 2005.

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)427-2521; and
    Southeast Region, NMFS, 9721 Executive Center Drive North, St. 
Petersburg, FL 33702-2432; phone (727)570-5301; fax (727)570-5320.
    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)427-2521, 
provided the facsimile is confirmed by hard copy submitted by mail and 
postmarked no later than the closing date of the comment period.
    Comments may also be submitted by e-mail. The mailbox address for 
providing email comments is [email protected]. Include in the 
subject line of the e-mail comment the following document identifier: 
File No. 1509.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patrick Opay or Ruth Johnson, 
(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 study whether mis-oriented turtles are 
able to crawl towards the ocean and swim offshore. The results of the 
study would help determine if these turtles remain behaviorally 
competent when released at beach sites and are likely to complete their 
offshore migration, and whether they are likely to survive and 
contribute to population recovery. The applicant would conduct the 
research on 80 loggerhead hatchlings. The sea turtle hatchlings would 
have a lightweight float attached to them and they would be tracked by 
boat or kayak as they migrate offshore. At the conclusion of its 
swimming trial, each hatchling would be captured to remove the float 
gear. If the turtle was heading properly offshore, it would be released 
to continue its journey. If the turtle was heading in the incorrect 
direction, it would be released the next afternoon in the Gulf Stream. 
The applicant is requesting authorization from NMFS to conduct the in-
water activities relating to the research. The research activities 
would occur in the waters of Florida and the applicant requests a 2-
year permit.

    Dated: March 4, 2005.
Stephen L. Leathery,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 05-4621 Filed 3-8-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S