[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 143 (Thursday, July 24, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 43211]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-16994]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XJ20


Endangered Species; File No. 13544

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.

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

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Jeffrey Schmid, Conservancy of 
Southwest Florida, 1450 Merrihue Drive, Naples, FL 34102, has applied 
in due form for a permit to take Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii), 
loggerhead (Caretta caretta), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), and 
green (Chelonia mydas) sea turtles for purposes of research.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or 
before August 25, 2008.

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, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 
33701; phone (727)824-5312; fax (727)824-5309.
    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. 13544.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kate Swails or Patrick Opay, (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 purpose of the proposed research activities is to characterize 
the aggregations of marine turtles in the nearshore waters of Lee 
County in southwest Florida. Turtles would be collected in Pine Island 
Sound, San Carlos Bay, Estero Bay, and adjacent Gulf of Mexico waters 
using a large-mesh, run-around strike net. Turtles would be measured, 
weighed, and tagged with Inconel tags on the trailing edge of the front 
flippers and a passive integrated transponder tag inserted in the left 
front flipper. Tissue samples would be collected for genetic and stable 
isotope analyses. The applicant requests annual take of 130 Kemp's 
ridley, 50 loggerhead, 20 green, and five hawksbill turtles. A subset 
of Kemp's ridleys would be held for 24-48 hrs. for fecal sample 
collection. Another subset of Kemp's ridleys would receive electronic 
transmitters to investigate their movements, home range, and habitat 
associations. The applicant is requesting a five-year permit.

    Dated: July 18, 2008.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8-16994 Filed 7-23-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S