[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 121 (Monday, June 24, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 29503]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-13326]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[0648-PR-A002]


Endangered Species; File No. 22281

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Kristen Hart, Ph.D., U.S. 
Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Davie Field 
Office, 3321 College Ave., Davie, FL 33314, 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 July 24, 2019.

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. 22281 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 five-year research permit to determine 
distribution, seasonal movements, vital rates and habitat use of 
juvenile, sub-adult, and adult sea turtles in the northern Gulf of 
Mexico. Researchers would annually capture up to 300 green, 300 
loggerhead, 300 Kemp's ridley, and 20 hawksbill sea turtles by hand, 
trawl, or other nets or obtain sea turtles from relocation trawlers. 
They may perform the following procedures on animals before release: 
Morphometrics, carapace mark, photograph/video, flipper and passive 
integrated transponder tags, skin, fecal, scute and blood sampling, 
biological swabbing, and lavage. A subset of green, Kemp's ridley, and 
loggerhead sea turtles also may receive up to three transmitters and be 
subsequently tracked after release. Researchers may opportunistically 
recapture these animals for gear removal.

    Dated: June 18, 2019.
Julia Marie Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
 [FR Doc. 2019-13326 Filed 6-21-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P