[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 197 (Thursday, October 12, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 53170]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-25198]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
[I.D. 100495A]
Endangered Species; Permits
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Issuance of permit 981, and modification 1 to permit 962.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS issued Permit 981 to David
Owens of Texas A&M University (P531A), and Modification 1 to Permit 962
held by Carlos Diez and Robert van Dam of the University of Central
Florida (P509B). Both permits authorize the take of listed sea turtles
for the purpose of scientific research, subject to certain conditions
set forth therein.
ADDRESSES: The applications, permits, and related documents are
available for review by appointment in the following offices:
Office of Protected Resources, F/PR8, NMFS, 1315 East-West Hwy.,
Room 13307, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3226 (301-713-1401); and
Director, Southeast Region, NMFS, NOAA 9721 Executive Center Drive,
St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2432 (813-893-3141).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A notice was published on July 21, 1995 (60
FR 37627) that an application had been filed by David Owens of Texas
A&M University (P531A), to take listed sea turtles as authorized by the
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543) and NMFS
regulations governing listed fish and wildlife permits (50 CFR parts
217-222). Dr. Owens has requested authorization to conduct scientific
research on listed sea turtles in the Flower Garden Banks National
Marine Sanctuary and Stetson Bank (reef systems), through 1996. The
purpose of the research is to study habitat use, migratory patterns,
and feeding biology of loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and hawksbill
(Eretmochelys imbricata) sea turtles. Twenty loggerhead and four
hawksbill sea turtles will be captured by hand, attached with tags and
transmitters, have blood samples taken for genetic identification and
sex determination, have ultrasonography (a non-invasive technique)
conducted to identify pre-reproductive females, and have stomach lavage
conducted to determine diet. In addition, turtles may be observed and
filmed to determine feeding habits and forage/prey preferences. On
September 27, 1995, NMFS issued a permit authorizing this take.
Carlos Diez of the University of Central Florida (P509B) has
requested a modification to Permit 962, authorizing the sampling of
scute material from 30 hawksbill turtles in the waters of Mona and
Monito Islands, Puerto Rico. On October 4, 1995, NMFS issued a permit
authorizing this take.
Issuance of this permit and permit modification, as required by the
ESA, was based on a finding that such permit and modification: (1) Were
applied for in good faith, (2) will not operate to the disadvantage of
the listed species that are the subject of the permit and modification,
and (3) are consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in
section 2 of the ESA.
Dated: October 5, 1995.
Russell J. Bellmer,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-25198 Filed 10-11-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
