[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 195 (Tuesday, October 9, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 50646]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-21852]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XG499


Endangered Species; File No. 22218

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 NMFS Northeast Fisheries 
Science Center, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543 [Responsible 
Party: Dr. Jon Hare], has applied in due form for a permit to take 
green (Chelonia mydas), Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii), 
leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), loggerhead (Caretta caretta), and 
unidentified hardshell sea turtles for purposes of scientific research.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before November 8, 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. 22218 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).
    The applicant requests a 10-year permit to conduct research on sea 
turtles in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean in its coastal and estuarine 
environments from North Carolina to Maine and international waters. The 
objectives of the research are to (1) identify sea turtle stocks and 
breeding population origins for juvenile through adult life stages, (2) 
improve knowledge of sea turtle life history, vital rates, and sex 
ratios, (3) identify important marine habitats, (4) estimate sea turtle 
distribution and abundance, (5) assess anthropogenic impacts to sea 
turtles, and (6) provide data to assist in agency mitigation and 
monitoring efforts. Researchers request 100 takes of each species and 
75 unidentified sea turtles annually for harassment during aerial 
(manned and unmanned) and vessel surveys for sighting, counting, and 
monitoring animals and methods that do not result in capture--remote 
scanning for PIT tags, remote suction cup tagging, observation, 
photography, photogrammetry, and tracking. Researchers request to 
capture (by hand, dip net, cast net, encirclement net, hoop net or 
seine) or obtain from other legal sources up to 74 green, 90 Kemp's 
ridley, 72 leatherback, one unidentified, and 115 loggerhead sea 
turtles annually for study; each animal may be recaptured two times a 
year for monitoring and removing gear. These animals may be observed 
via manned and unmanned aircraft prior to capture, and examined, 
measured, marked, biologically sampled, and have up to two transmitters 
attached prior to release. Animals may be temporarily observed via a 
remotely operated vehicle underwater after release. Sea turtle parts, 
tissues and carcasses from 500 animals annually may be received, 
imported or exported for study.

    Dated: October 3, 2018.
Julia Marie Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-21852 Filed 10-5-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P