[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 207 (Wednesday, October 28, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55538-55539]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-25985]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XR73


Endangered Species; File No. 14249

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

ACTION:  Issuance of permit.

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

SUMMARY:  Notice is hereby given that Ronald Smolowitz, Coonamessett 
Farm Foundation, Inc., 277 Hatchville Road, East Falmouth, MA 02536, 
has been issued a permit to take loggerhead (Caretta caretta), 
leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys 
kempii), and green (Chelonia mydas) sea turtles for purposes of 
scientific research.

ADDRESSES:  The permit 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)713-0376;
    Northeast Region, NMFS, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 
01930; phone (978)281-9300; fax (978)281-9333.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Patrick Opay or Kate Swails, 
(301)713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 24, 2009, notice was published 
in the Federal Register (74 FR 8230) that a request for a scientific 
research permit to take loggerhead, leatherback, Kemp's ridley, and 
green sea turtles 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).
    Researchers will evaluate modifications to scallop dredge gear that 
may reduce the probability of turtle injuries due to interactions with 
gear. They will also study sea turtle behavior so that behavior can be 
factored into bycatch reduction strategies and collect biological and 
animal health information to improve NMFS' ability to assess stocks and 
the impact of anthropogenic activities. Up to 23 loggerheads, 1 
leatherback, 1 green, and 1 Kemp's ridley would be taken during

[[Page 55539]]

the dredge gear study. All of these takes could result in injury or 
mortality. Up to 100 loggerheads would be followed by a remotely 
operated vehicle annually during the behavior study. Up to 10 
loggerheads would be captured annually by dip net and have a satellite 
transmitter or Crittercam attached to their carapace. All animals would 
be measured, flipper and passive integrated transponder tagged, tissue 
sampled, cloacal swabbed, nasal swabbed, photographed, weighed, and 
released. Dead animals could be salvaged for scientific purposes. This 
is a 5 year permit and research activities would occur in the Atlantic 
Ocean off the coast of the northeastern United States.
    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: October 21, 2009.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E9-25985 Filed 10-27-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S