[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 192 (Wednesday, October 2, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 51436]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-25163]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
[I.D. 090696H]
Endangered Species; Permits
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Issuance of permit 1015 and modification 2 to permit 885.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS issued Permit 1015 to Drs.
Frank A. Chapman and Wallis H, Clark, Jr., of the Department of
Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Florida (P611), and
modification 2 to Permit 885 to Mark B. Bain, New York Cooperative Fish
and Wildlife Research Unit (P555), to take listed shortnose sturgeon
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/PR3, NMFS, 1315 East-West Hwy.,
Room 13307, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3226 (301-713-1401); and
Director, Northeast Region, NMFS, NOAA, One Blackburn Drive,
Gloucester, MA 01930-2298 (508-281-9250) for Permit 885;
or
Director, Southeast Region, NMFS, NOAA, 9721 Executive Center
Drive, St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2432 (813-893-3141) for Permit 1015.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice was published on June 6, 1996 (61 FR
28855) that Drs. Frank A. Chapman and Wallis H, Clark, Jr., of the
Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Florida
(P611), had applied for a permit to conduct scientific research on
shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum), 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). The purpose of the research is to identify the physical,
chemical, and biological parameters necessary for optimal survival and
growth of shortnose sturgeon. Specific items to be studied are:
salinity and temperature tolerance, nutrient requirements, embryonic
development and metamorphosis, sex determination, and gonadal
development and physiology. 200 shortnose sturgeon would be obtained
from U.S. Fish and Wildlife hatcheries and transferred to the Permit
Holders' facilities in Florida to be maintained in captivity. The fish
would be PIT-tagged, anaesthetized, handled, have blood and tissue
samples taken, and be spawned and progeny reared, in accordance with
the application and current handling standards. On September 23, 1996,
NMFS issued Permit 1015 for five years, authorizing the above research.
On August 22, 1996, NMFS issued modification 2 to Permit 885 held
by Mark B. Bain, New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
(P555), to take listed shortnose sturgeon as authorized by the ESA. The
purpose of the authorized research is to study endangered shortnose
sturgeon in the Hudson River downstream of Albany, NY. Data from this
project will help to assess the potential impact to shortnose sturgeon
from development activities in the Hudson River, and may provide
insight on the complimentary management of shortnose and Atlantic
sturgeon. In addition, this project seeks to quantify the shortnose
sturgeon population in the Hudson River. The applicant is authorized to
collect, measure, weigh, and tag 5,000 shortnose sturgeon annually, and
take blood and tissue samples from some fish. Two mortalities are
authorized annually. Modification 2 authorizes the following: 1)
Stomach sampling on 100 of the shortnose sturgeon, 2) attachment of
sonic tags to 20 of the shortnose sturgeon, 3) sampling of muscle
tissue, and 4) extension of the permit expiration date until December
31, 1998.
Issuance of this permit and 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 is the subject of the permit and modification,
and (3) is consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in
section 2 of the ESA.
Dated: September 25, 1996.
Robert C. Ziobro,
Acting Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 96-25163 Filed 10-1-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F