[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 45 (Tuesday, March 8, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 12077]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-05079]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE469


Endangered Species; File No. 19627

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 Southeast Fisheries 
Science Center, 75 Virginia Beach Drive, Room 207, Miami, FL 33149 
[Responsible Party: Dr. Bonnie Ponwith, Ph.D.], has applied in due form 
for a permit to take loggerhead (Caretta caretta), green (Chelonia 
mydas), Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii), hawksbill (Eretmochelys 
imbricata), leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), and unidentified 
hardshell sea turtles for purposes of scientific research.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before April 7, 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. 19627 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: Arturo Herrera 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 research sea turtles 
that interact with commercialfisheries and other authorized activities 
in the Gulf of Mexico and East Coast of the United States. The purpose 
of the project is to: (1) Monitor the take of sea turtles by observed 
fisheries, (2) collect data that can enhance efforts to estimate total 
bycatch and the effects of bycatch on the sea turtle subpopulations, 
(3) and document interactions at various life stages to help in the 
recovery process of these species. Researchers would be authorized to 
handle, photograph, measure, weigh, flipper and passive integrated 
transponder tag, tissue sample, temporary carapace mark, and salvage 
specimens legally taken during commercial fishing activities. Up to 86 
green, 571 loggerhead, 165 Kemp's ridley, 77 hawksbill, 253 
leatherback, 20 olive ridley, and 14 unidentified sea turtles would be 
sampled annually.

    Dated: March 2, 2016.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-05079 Filed 3-7-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P