[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 221 (Friday, November 16, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64584-64585]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-22450]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD91


Endangered Species; File No. 10027

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 Center for Biodiversity and 
Conservation, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 
79\th\ Street, New York, New York 10024, has applied in due form for a 
permit to take green (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill (Eretmochelys 
imbricata) sea turtles for purposes of scientific research.

DATES:  Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or 
before [December 17, 2007.

ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for 
review upon written request or by appointment in the following offices:
    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
    Pacific Islands Region, NMFS, 1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Rm 1110, 
Honolulu, HI

[[Page 64585]]

96814-4700; phone (808)973-2935; fax (808)973-2941.
    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. 10027.

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 applicant proposes to study the population biology and 
connectivity of green and hawksbill sea turtles focusing on 
distribution and abundance, ecology, health, and threats to sea turtles 
at the Palmyra Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. Researchers would also 
consider management and conservation applications of their research. Up 
to 300 green and 100 hawkbill sea turtles would be captured by hand or 
net, examined, measured, photographed, flipper and Passive Integrated 
Transponder tagged, blood sampled, carapace sampled, shell etched and 
painted, fecal sampled, have their temperature measured, and released. 
Up to 75 of the green and 25 of the hawksbill sea turtles would also be 
gastric lavaged before release. Up to 15 of the green and 5 of the 
hawksbill sea turtles would have transmitters affixed to their carapace 
before release. Additionally, researchers would examine, measure, 
tissue sample, stomach sample, humerus sample, and photograph up to 30 
green and 10 hawksbill sea turtle carcasses that they may encounter. 
The permit would be valid for 5 years and the research would occur.

    Dated: November 9, 2007.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E7-22450 Filed 11-15-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S