[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 43 (Monday, March 5, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 9297]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-04360]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XG057


Endangered Species; File No. 21366

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 Margaret Lamont, Ph.D., U.S. 
Geological Survey, 7320 NW 71st St., Gainesville, FL 32653, has applied 
in due form for a permit to take green (Chelonia mydas), Kemp's ridley 
(Lepidochelys kempii), loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and hawksbill 
(Eretmochelys imbricata) sea turtles for purposes of scientific 
research.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before April 4, 2018.

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. 21366 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: 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).
    Dr. Lamont proposes to study green, Kemp's ridley, loggerhead, and 
hawksbill sea turtles in the northern Gulf of Mexico. The objectives of 
the work are to (1) assess spatial habitat use by sea turtles, (2) 
define vital rates for juvenile turtles, and (3) examine impacts of 
cold stunning on turtle ecology. Up to 60 loggerhead, 210 green, 200 
Kemp's ridley and 10 hawksbill sea turtles annually would be captured 
by hand, dip net, tangle net, or strike net. Upon capture, researchers 
would examine, temporarily mark, measure, and biologically sample sea 
turtles before release. A subset of turtles would also receive up to 
two transmitters prior to release and may be manually tracked after 
release. The permit would be valid for up to 10 years from the date of 
issuance.

    Dated: February 27, 2018.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-04360 Filed 3-2-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P