[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 105 (Friday, May 31, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 32623]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-12946]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XC704


Endangered Species; File No. 17452

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 Caleb Slater, Massachusetts 
Division of Fish and Wildlife, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA, 
01581, has applied in due form for a permit to take shortnose 
(Acipenser brevirostrum) and Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus 
oxyrinchus) for purposes of scientific research.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before July 1, 2013.

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. 17452 
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; and
    Northeast Region, NMFS, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 
01930; phone (978) 281-9328; fax (978) 281-9394.
    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: Colette Cairns or Malcolm Mohead, 
(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 applicant proposes to conduct a study in the Taunton River, 
Massachusetts, to assess the current population status of Atlantic and 
shortnose sturgeon. For each species, up to 20 adult and juvenile 
animals would be collected annually using gill nets. Once captured, 
sturgeon would be measured, weighed, tissue sampled, and passive 
integrated transponder and Floy tagged. The proposed research would 
provide managers with a more comprehensive understanding of the 
presence, abundance, and distribution of protected sturgeon in 
Massachusetts waters and guide management efforts. The permit would be 
valid for five years from the date of issuance.

    Dated: May 28, 2013.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-12946 Filed 5-30-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P