[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 118 (Tuesday, June 19, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28413-28414]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-13065]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XG282


Endangered Species; File No. 20561

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 Virginia Aquarium and Marine 
Science Center (Responsible Party: W. Mark Swingle), 717 General Booth 
Boulevard, Virginia Beach, VA 23451, has applied in due form for a 
permit to take green (Chelonia mydas), Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys 
kempii), leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), and loggerhead (Caretta 
caretta) sea turtles for purposes of scientific research.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before July 19, 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. 20561 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.

[[Page 28414]]

    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: Erin Markin 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 Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center proposes to 
continue sea turtle research in the Chesapeake Bay and mid-Atlantic 
Ocean to enhance conservation and management of sea turtles in 
estuarine and marine waters. Specific research objectives are to (1) 
study the behavior, distribution, health, and nutrition and compare the 
relative abundance of green, Kemp's ridley, and loggerhead sea turtles 
in the Chesapeake Bay, Long Island Sound, and U.S. mid-Atlantic waters; 
and (2) investigate the survival and behavior of green, loggerhead, and 
Kemp's ridley sea turtles affected by human activities in the study 
area. Annually, up to 30 green, 30 Kemp's ridley, and 30 loggerhead sea 
turtles would be captured (hand, dip, tangle, or pound nets, or capture 
under another authority), biologically sampled (blood, tissue), and 
tagged (passive integrated transponder (PIT), flipper, and acoustic or 
satellite transmitters (by epoxy or drilling the carapace)), measured, 
weighed, and photographed. One leatherback sea turtle may be 
opportunistically taken during research and would receive a temporary 
carapace mark, PIT tag, and flipper tags as well as be blood sampled, 
measured, and photographed. The permit would be valid for 10 years.

    Dated: June 13, 2018.
Amy Sloan,
Deputy Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-13065 Filed 6-18-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P