[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 169 (Friday, August 29, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50941-50942]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-20163]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XK06


Endangered Species; File No. 10115

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

ACTION:  Issuance of permit.

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SUMMARY:  Notice is hereby given that Dr. Douglas Peterson, Warnell 
School of Forest Resources (Fisheries Division), University of Georgia, 
Athens, Georgia 30602, has been issued a permit to take shortnose 
sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) for purposes of scientific research.

ADDRESSES:  The permit 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 Ave South, St. Petersburg, FL 
33701; phone (727)824-5312; fax (727)824-5309.

[[Page 50942]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Malcolm Mohead or Brandy Belmas, 
(301)713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 21, 2008, notice was published 
in the Federal Register (73 FR 9525) that a request for a scientific 
research permit to take shortnose sturgeon had been submitted by the 
above-named individual. The requested permit has been issued 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).
    Dr. Douglas Peterson is authorized to conduct a five-year 
scientific research (presence/absence) study of shortnose sturgeon in 
the Saint Marys and Satilla Rivers, Georgia and Florida. The purpose of 
the proposed research is to assess the current status of shortnose 
sturgeon in these rivers, as well as evaluate the current habitat 
availability in each river. If shortnose sturgeon are found, another 
objective of the research will be to quantify the genetic discreteness 
and effective population size of the extant stock.
    Specifically, Dr. Peterson is authorized to capture (by gill or 
trammel nets), handle, measure, weigh, PIT tag, and genetic fin clip up 
to 85 shortnose sturgeon annually from each river for the duration of 
the permit, or five years. To document spawning in the rivers, up to 20 
eggs or larvae may be lethally collected in each river with artificial 
substrates. No unintentional mortality for either river is authorized.
    Issuance of this permit, 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 such endangered or threatened 
species, and (3) is consistent with the purposes and policies set forth 
in section 2 of the ESA.

    Dated: August 25, 2008.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8-20163 Filed 8-28-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S