[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 96 (Wednesday, May 18, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30207-30208]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-10593]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XC035]


Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Abalone

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

ACTION: Notice of receipt of application; two scientific research and 
enhancement permits.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received permit 
application requests for two new scientific research and enhancement 
permits for black abalone. The proposed work is intended to increase 
knowledge of species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and 
to help guide management, conservation, and recovery efforts. The 
applications may be viewed online at: https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov/preview/preview_open_for_comment.cfm.

DATES: Comments or requests for a public hearing on the application 
must be received at the provided email address (see ADDRESSES) on or 
before June 17, 2022.

ADDRESSES: All written comments on the applications should be submitted 
by email to [email protected]. Please include the permit number 
(26342 or 26606) in the subject line of the email.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Wang, Long Beach, CA (email: 
[email protected]). Permit application instructions are available 
from the address above, or online at https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

ESA Listed Species Covered in This Notice

    Endangered black abalone (Haliotis cracherodii).

Authority

    Scientific research permits are issued in accordance with section 
10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and

[[Page 30208]]

regulations governing listed fish and wildlife permits (50 CFR parts 
222-226). NMFS issues permits based on findings that such permits: (1) 
Are applied for in good faith; (2) if granted and exercised, would not 
operate to the disadvantage of the listed species that are the subject 
of the permit; and (3) are consistent with the purposes and policy of 
section 2 of the ESA. The authority to take listed species is subject 
to conditions set forth in the permits.
    Anyone requesting a hearing on the application listed in this 
notice should set out the specific reasons why a hearing on the 
application would be appropriate (see ADDRESSES). Such hearings are 
held at the discretion of the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, 
NMFS.

Applications Received

Permit 26342
    The University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC), has requested a 
research and enhancement permit to authorize the rescue and relocation 
of black abalone in response to emergency events that pose a risk to 
black abalone and their habitat. Emergency events include oil spills, 
landslides, debris flows, and vessel groundings. The purpose of the 
research and enhancement permit is to enhance the survival of 
endangered black abalone through rescue and relocation. The permit 
would authorize activities for ten years.
    Activities would include collection of black abalone and removal 
from the wild, captive holding for one day to several months, 
reintroduction to the wild, and monitoring. Activities would also 
include long-term holding, spawning, culturing, and experimental 
outplanting studies. Collected abalone would be photographed, measured, 
weighed, visually assessed for health and gonad condition, genetically 
sampled (e.g., a swab and/or an epipodial clipping), and tagged. A 
proportion of the abalone may be injured or killed due to collection 
and handling. Severely injured abalone would be held in captivity for 
rehabilitation. Dead abalone would be preserved and available for 
analysis at approved labs. Researchers would coordinate closely with 
NMFS, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and other 
partners on all emergency response activities and follow protocols to 
minimize stress and harm to rescued black abalone.
Permit 26606
    The UCSC has also requested a research and enhancement permit to 
authorize the collection and transplanting of black abalone. The 
purpose of this permit is to advance recovery of black abalone by 
evaluating transplantation as a tool to re-establish populations where 
they have been locally extirpated and to enhance populations that have 
experienced declines. The permit would authorize activities for five 
years.
    Activities would include collection of black abalone and removal 
from the wild, captive holding for one to several days, release at the 
restoration sites, and monitoring. Collected abalone would be 
photographed, measured, weighed, visually assessed for health and gonad 
condition, genetically sampled (e.g., a swab and/or an epipodial 
clipping), and tagged. A proportion of the abalone may be injured or 
killed due to collection and handling. Severely injured abalone would 
be held in captivity for rehabilitation. Dead abalone would be 
preserved and available for analysis at approved labs. Researchers 
would coordinate closely with NMFS, the California Department of Fish 
and Wildlife, and other partners on all collection and transplanting 
activities and follow protocols to minimize stress and harm to black 
abalone.
    This notice is provided pursuant to section 10(c) of the ESA. NMFS 
will evaluate the applications, associated documents, and comments 
submitted to determine whether the applications meet the requirements 
of section 10(a) of the ESA and Federal regulations. The final permit 
decisions will not be made until after the end of the 30-day comment 
period. NMFS will publish notice of its final action in the Federal 
Register.

    Dated: May 12, 2022.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-10593 Filed 5-17-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P