[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 112 (Friday, June 10, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 37576]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-13713]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE614


Endangered Species; File No. 20114

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 Commonwealth of Northern Mariana 
Islands Department of Lands & Natural Resources, Sea Turtle Program, 
Caller Box 10007 Saipan, MP 96950 Northern Mariana Islands [Responsible 
Party: Richard B. Seman,], has applied in due form for a permit to take 
green (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) sea 
turtles for purposes of scientific research.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before July 11, 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. 20114 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 green and 
hawksbill sea turtles within the U.S. CNMI. The purpose of the project 
is to characterize the population structure, size class composition, 
foraging ecology, health, and migration patterns of green and hawksbill 
turtles in the region. Researchers would be authorized to capture 265 
green and 40 hawksbill sea turtles annually by hand-capture and perform 
the following procedures: Examine; measure; photograph; video; weigh; 
flipper and Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tag; temporary 
carapace mark; oral swab, tissue, and blood sample. 235 green and 20 
hawksbill sea turtles will receive scute sampling, while 30 captured 
hawksbills and 20 greens will have satellite transmitters attached by 
epoxy. In addition, dead carcasses, tissues and parts may be salvaged 
from up to 15 greens and 10 hawksbills annually.

    Dated: June 6, 2016.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-13713 Filed 6-9-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P