[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 111 (Tuesday, June 10, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 31576]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-15076]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 052797B]
Endangered Species; Permits
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Issuance of scientific research permit 1051 (P45Z), issuance of
modification 1 to scientific research permit 875 (P774#1), issuance of
modification 1 to scientific research permit 1030 (P625), and notice of
receipt of application for a scientific research permit (P647).
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that on May 29, 1997, NMFS issued
scientific research permit 1051 to Jorgen Skjeveland, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (P45Z); on June 4, 1997, NMFS issued modification 1 to
permit 875 issued to the Director, Northeast Fisheries Science Center;
and on May 29, 1997, NMFS issued modification 1 to permit 1030 issued
to Sarah Mitchell, Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary for the
purpose of scientific research subject to certain conditions set forth
therein. Notice is also given that Joseph E. Hightower, of North
Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit has applied in due
form for a scientific research permit to take listed shortnose sturgeon
(P647).
ADDRESSES: The application, permit, 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).
or
Director, Southeast Region, NMFS, NOAA, 9721 Executive Center
Drive, St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2432 (813-893-3141).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice was published on April 16, 1997 (62
FR 18588) that an application had been filed by Jorgen Skjeveland, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service (P45Z), to take listed shortnose sturgeon 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 applicant requested a five year permit to take up to 25 listed
shortnose sturgeon annually from the Upper Chesapeake Bay to determine
the population status and preferred habitat of the species in the Bay.
The sturgeon will be measured, tagged, tissue sampled, and released.
The data collected under this permit will be used to identify dredged
material disposal sites that will have minimal environmental impact on
sturgeon species. Notice is hereby given that on May 29, 1997, NMFS
issued scientific research permit 1051.
Notice was published on April 9, 1997 (62 FR 17178) that an
application had been filed by the Northeast Fisheries Science Center,
National Marine Fisheries Service (P774#1), 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).
The applicant requested a modification to permit 875 to include an
increase in the authorized take of leatherback sea turtles from 20 to
85, and the authorization to take blood samples from sea turtles
captured incidental to the swordfish drift gillnet fishery. Notice is
hereby given that on June 4, 1997, NMFS issued modification 1 to permit
875.
On May 29, 1997, NMFS issued modification 1 to permit 1030 issued
to Sarah Mitchell, Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary. Currently,
Ms. Mitchell is authorized to take loggerhead turtles in the waters of
the Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary to investigate population
trends, migrations, habitat, and diving behavior. Modification 1
authorizes the collection of blood samples from loggerhead turtles
taken pursuant to the permitted research.
Joseph E. Hightower, of North Carolina Cooperative Fish and
Wildlife Research Unit (P647), requests a scientific research permit
under the authority of 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 217-227).
The applicant has requested a two year permit to conduct scientific
research on listed shortnose sturgeon within the Albemarle Sound
estuarine system. A maximum of 25 shortnose sturgeon will be collected
from the Albemarle Sound to determine the status of shortnose sturgeon
in the estuary and to examine habitat selection and overlap for
shortnose sturgeon and juvenile Atlantic sturgeon. The sturgeon will be
examined, measured, photographed, and tagged. Sonic transmitters will
be externally attached to the sturgeon to monitor their movement within
the Sound. The sturgeon will be released immediately following the
above procedures.
Issuance of these permits/modifications, as required by the ESA,
was based on a finding that such permits/modifications: (1) were
applied for in good faith, (2) will not operate to the disadvantage of
the listed species that are the subject of the permits/modifications,
and (3) are consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in
section 2 of the ESA.
Dated: June 4, 1997.
Nancy Chu,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 97-15076 Filed 6-9-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
