Federal Register: November 26, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 229)
DOCID: fr26no08-50 FR Doc E8-28181
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN ID: RIN 0648-XL99
NOTICE: NOTICES
DOCID: fr26no08-50
DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for modification
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Endangered Species; File No. 1506
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or before December 26, 2008.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
Notice is hereby given that Blair E. Witherington, Ph D., Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Melbourne Beach Field Laboratory, 9700 South A1A, Melbourne Beach, FL 32951, has requested an modification to scientific research Permit No. 150601.
SUMMARY:
Endangered Species,
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
The subject modification to Permit No. 1506, issued on March 23, 2005 (70 FR 20530) is requested under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and the regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR 222226).
Permit No. 150601 authorizes the permit holder to study neonate and juvenile loggerhead (Caretta caretta), green (Chelonia mydas), Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) and leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) sea turtles in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida. The purpose of the research is to identify developmental habitat, evaluate the extent of ingestion of marine debris, and provide insight into juvenile sea turtle movements and dive patterns. Dr. Witherington may capture up to 250 loggerhead, 100 green, 50 hawksbill, 50 Kemp's ridley, and 10 leatherback sea turtles by handheld dip nets annually. All turtles are measured and released. A subset of green and loggerhead turtles may be transported to a lab and examined with high resolution magnetic resonance interferometry or computerized tomography, held for 34 days and released to determine their level of anthropogenic debris ingestion. Annually, four of each species of green, hawksbill, and Kemp's ridley sea turtles may have sonic transmitters and data loggers attached to measure movements and dive patterns, be recaptured after 24 hours to remove the transmitter and released.
The permit holder requests authorization to annually flipper tag
and passive integrated transponder tag all captured sea turtles, biopsy
sample up to 100 loggerhead, 100 green, and 50 hawksbill sea turtles,
and lavage up to 50 loggerhead, 50 green, 50 hawksbill, 50 Kemp's
ridley, and 10 leatherback sea turtles. The permit holder also requests
authorization to attach harnessed satellite transmitters to 10 Kemp's
ridley sea turtles each year. Imaging activities and attachment of
sonic transmitters and data loggers would no longer be authorized for
any species. No increase in the total number of turtles taken would be
authorized. These additional activities would provide information on
the genetic origin, diet, movement, and dive patterns of sea turtles in
this area. The amendment would be valid until the permit expires on March 31, 2010.
Dated: November 21, 2008.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E828181 Filed 112508; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 351022S
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Amy Hapeman or Kate Swails, (301)713- 2289.