[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 203 (Friday, October 20, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 61960]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-17584]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 101206D]


Endangered Species; File No. 1596

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS Southwest Fisheries Science 
Center, 8604 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037-1508, has 
applied in due form for a permit to take leatherback (Dermochelys 
coriacea) sea turtles for purposes of scientific research.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or 
before November 20, 2006.

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
    Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long 
Beach, CA 90802-4213; phone (562)980-4001; fax (562)980-4018.
    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 e-mail comments is [email protected]. Include in the 
subject line of the e-mail comment the following document identifier: 
File No. 1596.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patrick Opay or Amy Hapeman, (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 researchers propose to continue long-term monitoring of the 
status of leatherback sea turtles off the coasts of California, Oregon, 
and Washington to determine their abundance, distribution, size ranges, 
sex ratio, health status, diving behavior, local movements, habitat 
use, and migration routes. Up to 38 animals would be captured using a 
breakaway hoop net and be measured, weighed, blood and tissue sampled, 
photographed, and flipper and passive integrated transponder (PIT) 
tagged. A subset of animals would have biotelemetry devices (e.g., 
transmitters) attached to them. An additional 40 animals would be 
approached (but not captured) and have a VHF/TDR/sonic tag unit 
attached to them by suction cup using a long pole or these animals 
would be tissue sampled with a biopsy pole. The primary goal is to 
address priorities outlined in the U.S. Pacific leatherback Recovery 
Plan and identify critical forage habitats, genetic stock structure, 
migratory corridors, and potential fishery impacts on this species in 
the Pacific. This information is necessary to make informed management 
decisions concerning these turtles and their habitat. The permit would 
be issued for 5 years.

    Dated: October 16, 2006.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E6-17584 Filed 10-19-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S