[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 235 (Friday, December 8, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57954-57955]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-26493]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF861


Endangered Species; File Nos. 21198 and 21434

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice; receipt of applications.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
(USFWS), Southeast Regional Office, Century Boulevard, Atlanta, GA 
30602 [Responsible Party: Allan Brown], has applied in due form for a 
permit [File No. 21198] to take captive shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser 
brevirostrum) and Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) 
for purposes of scientific research and enhancement. Additionally the 
Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Cooperative Oxford 
Laboratory, 904 South Morris Street, Oxford, Maryland 21654 
[Responsible Party: Brian Richardson], has applied in due form for a 
permit [File No. 21434] to take captive Atlantic sturgeon for purposes 
of conducting scientific research and enhancement.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before January 8, 2018.

ADDRESSES: The applications 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 
Nos. 21198 or 21434 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)

[[Page 57955]]

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 the application(s) would be appropriate.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Malcolm Mohead or Erin Markin at (301) 
427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permits are 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).
    File No. 21198: Researchers with the USFWS propose to use existing 
captive populations of shortnose and Atlantic sturgeon to conduct 
research facilitating the development of new methods needed for 
achieving species recovery in facilities located in the Southeast 
Region of the USFWS. Research would include nutrition, physiology, 
nutrition, propagation, contaminants, genetics, fish health, 
cryopreservation, tagging, refugia, and collaborative research with 
others. Additional objectives would include collaborative research and 
public display at other satellite facilities on the permit. The permit 
would be valid for ten years from the date of issuance.
    File No. 21434: Researchers at the Maryland Department of Natural 
Resources and cooperating researchers (e.g., University of Maryland and 
other collaborators) propose objectives for conducting research and 
public display on captive Atlantic sturgeon. Researchers propose 
developing reliable culture techniques, minimizing or eliminating the 
use of wild fish and impacts on non-target species. Research projects 
are to include fish physiology, fish culture, behavioral studies, 
tagging, fish nutrition, propagation methods, genetics, 
cryopreservation, refinement of anesthetization technology, and refugia 
as needed for management priorities. Additional objectives would 
include collaborative research and public display at other satellite 
facilities on the permit. The permit would be valid for ten years from 
the date of issuance.

    Dated: December 5, 2017.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-26493 Filed 12-7-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P