[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 157 (Thursday, August 14, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 43516]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-21532]



[[Page 43516]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 080697C]


Endangered Species; Permits

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

ACTION: Issuance of scientific research permit 1052.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that on August 5, 1997, NMFS issued 
scientific research permit 1052 to Joseph E. Hightower, of the North 
Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (P647), to take 
listed shortnose sturgeon 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 13307, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3226 (301-713-1401); and
    Director, Southeast Region, NMFS, NOAA, 9721 Executive Center 
Drive, St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2432 (813-893-3141).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice was published on June 3, 1997 (62 FR 
31576) that an application had been filed by Joseph E. Hightower, of 
the North Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit(P647), 
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 two-year permit to capture, examine, tag, 
and take tissue samples of 25 juvenile and adult listed shortnose 
sturgeon annually 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. All of these adult shortnose sturgeon may be fitted with a 
sonic transmitter. The applicant also has requested one incidental 
mortality per year. The purpose of the research is to determine the 
status of shortnose sturgeon migratory movements and to help identify 
spawning, feeding, and overwintering areas.
    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 is the 
subject of this permit, and (3) is consistent with the purposes and 
policies set forth in section 2 of the ESA.

    Dated: August 8, 1997.
Nancy Chu,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 97-21532 Filed 8-13-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F