Federal Register: October 16, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 199)
DOCID: fr16oc09-29 FR Doc E9-24840
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN ID: RIN 0648-XS29
NOTICE: NOTICES
DOCID: fr16oc09-29
DOCUMENT ACTION: Issuance of permit.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Endangered Species; File No. 14394
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
Notice is hereby given that Douglas Peterson, Ph.D., Warnell School of Forest Resources (Fisheries Division), University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, has been issued a permit to take shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) for purposes of scientific research.
SUMMARY:
Endangered Species
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
On June 24, 2009, notice was published in the Federal Register (74 FR 30054) that a request for a scientific research permit to take shortnose sturgeon had been submitted by the abovenamed individual. The requested permit has been issued 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 222226).
The purpose of the proposed research is to assess the current status of shortnose sturgeon in the Altamaha River, Georgia, studying the distribution, abundance, and movement of adults and subadults of the species. The permit authorizes nonlethal sampling methods on up to 500 shortnose sturgeon annually, not exceeding a total of 1,500 over the life of the permit. Research activities include gill and trammel netting, measuring (length, weight, photos), genetic and finray tissue sampling, PIT and sonic tagging, anesthesia, laparoscopy, and gastric lavage. To document spawning in the river, up to 20 eggs or larvae are to be lethally collected with artificial substrates annually. Additionally, one unintentional mortality or serious injury of a shortnose sturgeon is authorized over the life of the permit.
Issuance of this permit, as required by the ESA, was based on a
finding that such permit (1) was applied for in good faith, (2) will
not operate to the disadvantage of such endangered or threatened
species, and (3) is consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the ESA.
Dated: October 8, 2009.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E924840 Filed 101509; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 351022S
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Malcolm Mohead or Kate Swails, (301)7132289.