[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 161 (Tuesday, August 20, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 67424]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-18656]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XE186]


Endangered Species; File No. 28119

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 Southwest Fisheries 
Science Center, 8901 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037 
(Responsible Party: Jeffrey Seminoff, Ph.D.), has applied in due form 
for a permit to take green (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill (Eretmochelys 
imbricata), loggerhead (Caretta caretta), and olive ridley 
(Lepidochelys olivacea) sea turtles for purposes of scientific 
research.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before September 19, 
2024.

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 
home page, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File No. 
28119 from the list of available applications. These documents are also 
available upon written request via email to [email protected].
    Written comments on this application should be submitted via email 
to [email protected]. Please include File No. 28119 in the 
subject line of the email comment.
    Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a 
written request via email to [email protected]. The request 
should set forth the specific reasons why a hearing on this application 
would be appropriate.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Hapeman or Malcolm Mohead, (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 proposes to continue long-term monitoring and 
ecological study of hard-shelled sea turtles off the coast of 
California and in international waters of the Pacific Ocean. 
Researchers would capture up to 150 green, 30 loggerhead, 10 olive 
ridley, and 5 hawksbill sea turtles by hand, tangle net, or dip net 
annually. Researchers would perform the following procedures on sea 
turtles prior to their release: temporary carapace marking; epibiota 
removal; photography; measurements and weight; measurement of cloacal 
temperature and heart rate; flipper and passive integrated transponder 
tagging; oxytetracycline marking; ultrasonography; biological sampling 
(blood; skin and scute biopsy; gastric lavage; voided urine and feces; 
and cloacal, oral, and nasal swabs); and attachment of a biotelemetry 
device or camera using adhesive or suction-cups. A subset of green sea 
turtles may receive up to two instruments at a time. The permit is 
requested for 10 years.

    Dated: August 15, 2024.
Amy Sloan,
Acting Division Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-18656 Filed 8-19-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P