[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 131 (Tuesday, July 11, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31948-31949]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-14504]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF485


Endangered Species; File No. 21111

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 National Marine Fisheries Service 
(NMFS), Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC), 8901 La Jolla 
Shores Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037, [Responsible Party: Lisa Ballance, 
Ph.D.], has applied in due form for a permit to take leatherback sea 
turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) for purposes of scientific research.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before August 10, 2017.

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. 21111 from the list of available applications.
    These documents are also available upon written request or by 
appointment

[[Page 31949]]

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: Amy Hapeman or Erin Markin, (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 SWFSC proposes to continue long-term monitoring of leatherback 
sea turtles off the coasts of California, Oregon, and Washington. The 
purpose of the work is to determine abundance, distribution, size 
ranges, sex ratio, health status, diving behavior, local movements, 
habitat use, potential fishery impacts, and migratory routes for 
leatherbacks. Up to 70 sea turtles would be located annually through 
aerial surveys and subsequently approached from a research vessel or 
captured by hoop net. Upon approach or capture, researchers would 
examine, collect morphometric data and biological samples, and attach 
up to two transmitters to turtles before release. The permit would be 
valid for up to 10 years from the date of issuance.

    Dated: July 6, 2017.
Catherine Marzin,
Acting Deputy Office Director, Office of Protected Resources, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-14504 Filed 7-10-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P