[Federal Register: August 24, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 163)]
[Notices]               
[Page 45050-45051]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24au98-30]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 080798A]

 
Endangered Species; Permits

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Issuance of scientific research permit 1159.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that on July 27, 1998, NMFS issued 
scientific research permit 1159 to Robert L. Brownell, NMFS Southwest 
Fisheries Science Center, to take listed sea turtles for the purpose of 
scientific research subject to certain conditions set forth therein.

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

[[Page 45051]]

13307, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3226 (301-713-1401); and Director, 
Southwest Region, NMFS, NOAA, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long 
Beach, CA 90802-4213 (310-980-4016).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle Rogers, F/PR3, 301-713-1401

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice was published on June 19, 1998 (63 FR 
33632), that an application had been filed by Robert L. Brownell, NMFS 
Southwest Fisheries Science Center, 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 3-year scientific research permit to take 
listed sea turtles opportunistically during marine mammal research 
surveys in the eastern tropical Pacific. Authorization has been granted 
to take up to 400 turtles over the three year period to include the 
following species: olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), green 
(Chelonia mydas), leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), hawksbill 
(Eretmochelys imbricata), and loggerhead (Caretta caretta). The turtles 
will be weighed, photographed, flipper tagged, blood sampled, and 
tissue sampled. Additionally, stomach lavage will be performed on 
captured turtles to identify prey items and up to 30 turtles will be 
outfitted with satellite transmitters. The purposes of the proposed 
research are to obtain data on the geographic distribution and stock 
assessment, migratory and dive behavior, and habitat needs and primary 
foraging areas of turtles at sea. Notice is hereby given that on July 
27, 1998, NMFS issued permit 1159 authorized the above activities.
    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 the listed species that are the 
subject of this permit, and (3) is consistent with the purposes and 
policies set forth in section 2 of the ESA.

    Dated: August 13, 1998.
Patricia A. Montanio,
Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-22646 Filed 8-21-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F