[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 103 (Tuesday, May 29, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 31586]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-12960]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XC037


Endangered Species; File No. 16556

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 Northeast Fisheries Science 
Center (NEFSC; Responsible Party: Frank Almeida), 166 Water St., Woods 
Hole, MA, 02543 has applied in due form for 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.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before June 28, 2012.

ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for 
review by selecting ``Records Open for Public Comment'' from the 
Features box on the Applications and Permits for Protected Species 
(APPS) home page, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File 
No. 16556 from the list of available applications.
    These documents are also available upon written request or by 
appointment in the following offices:
    Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; 
phone (301) 427-8401; fax (301) 713-0376;
    Northeast Region, NMFS, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 
01930; phone (978) 281-9328; fax (978) 281-9394; and
    Southeast Region, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, FL 
33701; phone (727) 824-5312; fax (727) 824-5309.
    Written comments on this application should be submitted to the 
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division.
     By email to [email protected] (include the File 
No. in the subject line of the email),
     By facsimile to (301) 713-0376, or
     At the address listed above.
    Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a 
written request to the Chief, Permits and Conservation Division at the 
address listed above. The request should set forth the specific reasons 
why a hearing on this application would be appropriate.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Hapeman or Kristy Beard, (301) 
427-8401.

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 
parts 222-226).
    The NEFSC requests a five-year permit to continue sea turtle 
ecological research in the Western Atlantic (Florida Keys through 
Maine). Researchers would capture animals by hand, dip net, encircle 
net, hoop net, or obtain animals for research from other legal 
authorities. Sea turtles would have a combination of the following 
procedures performed: epibiota removal; collect tumors; count/survey; 
imaging; insert stomach telemeter pill; instrument attachment by 
drilling the carapace, epoxy or suction-cup; laparoscopy; gastric or 
cloacal lavage; temporary carapace mark; living, flipper, and passive 
integrated transponder tagging; measure; photograph/video; blood, fat, 
feces, scute, tissue, organ and muscle sample; nasal, cloacal, lesion, 
and oral swab; transport; ultrasound; weigh; tracking by vessel or 
remotely operated vehicle (ROV); observation by ROV; and recapture for 
gear removal. Up to one animal of each species could be unintentionally 
killed over the life of the permit. Researchers may also salvage 
carcass, tissue, and parts from dead animals encountered during 
surveys. Up to 541 loggerhead, 516 Kemp's ridley, 498 leatherback, 500 
green, and 427 unidentified sea turtles would be taken annually.

    Dated: May 23, 2012.
Tammy C. Adams,
Acting Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-12960 Filed 5-25-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P