[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 10 (Friday, January 15, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2196-2197]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-00724]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE348


Endangered Species; File No. 17225

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 the NMFS Northeast Fisheries 
Science Center [Responsible Party: William Karp], 166 Water Street, 
Woods Hole, MA 02543, has applied in due form for a permit to take 
Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus), loggerhead 
(Caretta caretta), Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii), green (Chelonia 
mydas), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) and leatherback (Dermochelys 
coraicea) sea turtles for purposes of scientific research.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before February 16, 2016.

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. 17225 from the list of available applications.
    These documents are also available upon written request or by 
appointment in the 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.
    Written comments on this application should be submitted to the 
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, at the address listed above. 
Comments may also be submitted by facsimile to (301) 713-0376, or by 
email to [email protected]. Please include the File No. in the 
subject line of the email comment.
    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: Malcolm Mohead or Amy Hapeman, (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 requests a five-year permit to conduct research on 
sea turtles and Atlantic sturgeon in the U.S. Atlantic exclusive 
economic zone from Massachusetts to Georgia. The purpose of the 
research is to evaluate bycatch reduction devices for commercial 
fishing gear to mitigate sea turtle and

[[Page 2197]]

sturgeon interactions under two projects: Project A (Northern region) 
and Project B (Southern region). For Project A, up to 223 Atlantic 
sturgeon, 51 loggerhead, six Kemp's ridley, six green, and six 
leatherback sea turtles could be targeted for research sampling over 
the course of the permit that have been legally bycaught in a Federal 
commercial fishery. For Project B, researchers would capture by 
experimental or control trawls or gillnets up to 204 Atlantic sturgeon, 
148 loggerhead, 62 Kemp's ridley, 10 green, eight leatherback and eight 
hawksbill sea turtles over the course of the permit. All animals would 
be measured, weighed, tissue sampled, passive integrated transponder 
(PIT) and/or flipper tagged, and photographed before release. In 
addition, up to six sea turtles (any species) and six Atlantic sturgeon 
may accidentally die or be harmed as a result of research activities 
over the life of the permit.

    Dated: December 22, 2015.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-00724 Filed 1-14-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P