[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 55 (Friday, March 21, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13601-13602]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-7208]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 031397E]


Endangered Species; Permits

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

ACTION: Issuance of scientific research permit 1028, modification 1 to 
scientific research permit 943, and receipt of a request to modify 
scientific research permit 984.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that on February 7, 1997, NMFS issued 
modification 1 to scientific research Permit 943 to Thomas Savoy, of 
Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (P430A). On March 6, 
1997, NMFS issued scientific research Permit 1028 to Steve Serfling of 
Mote Marine Laboratory (P610A). In addition, Drs. Mary L. Moser and 
Steve W. Ross of the University of North Carolina (P423B) have 
requested a modification to Permit 984. All three permits authorize the 
take of listed shortnose sturgeon for the purpose of scientific 
research subject to certain conditions set forth therein.

DATES: Written comments or requests for a public hearing on the request 
to modify Permit 984 must be received on or before April 21, 1997, and 
must be submitted to the Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of 
Protected Resources (see ADDRESSES).

ADDRESSES: The applications, permits, 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) for Permit 943; or
    Director, Southeast Region, NMFS, NOAA, 9721 Executive Center 
Drive, St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2432 (813-893-3141) for Permits 984 and 
1028.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice was published on September 6, 1996 
(61 FR 47113) that an application had been filed by Thomas Savoy, 
Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (P430A), for a 
modification to Permit 943 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).
    On February 7, 1997, NMFS issued modification 1 to Permit 943. The 
original permit authorized collecting, handling, and tagging of 800 
shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) per year in the Connecticut 
River, within the boundaries of the State of Connecticut. These 
sturgeon were captured, measured, examined, tagged, and released. Ten 
of these sturgeon could receive a radio or sonic transmitter. The 
purpose of the research is to determine current numbers, locations, and 
movement patterns of shortnose sturgeon within the Connecticut River. 
The purpose of the modification request is to test theories and gain 
information on spawning and migration. The modified permit authorizes: 
1) The collection and release of 400 adult shortnose sturgeon and 100 
juvenile shortnose sturgeon; 2) the lethal take of 150 shortnose 
sturgeon larvae and 150 shortnose sturgeon eggs; 3) the attachment of a 
radio or sonic transmitter to 25 of the adult shortnose sturgeon; and 
4) a increase in the study area to include the CT River in CT and 
southern MA downstream of the Holyoke Dam.
    Notice was published on November 22, 1996 (61 FR 59419) that an 
application had been filed by Steven Serfling of Mote Marine Laboratory 
(P610A), to take listed shortnose sturgeon as authorized by the ESA. 
The applicant requested a five-year permit to hold, breed, and conduct 
research on the following captive, hatchery-raised, shortnose sturgeon: 
150 fry, 130 fingerlings, 110 juveniles, and 80 adults. The research 
would be conducted at the Mote Marine Laboratory in Florida, to 
determine effects of high temperatures, low oxygen, and salinity on the 
survival and growth of shortnose sturgeon.
    The applicant also requested authorization to locate wild shortnose 
sturgeon in the St. John's and St. Marys rivers in Florida. If any 
sturgeon are found, tissue samples would be collected for toxic 
compound analysis, and the fish would be released at the original 
location of take. On March 6, 1997, NMFS issued Permit 1028 authorizing 
the above activities. Captive shortnose sturgeon must be returned to 
the hatchery where they originated, and may not be released into the 
wild.
    Drs. Mary Moser and Steve W. Ross of the University of North 
Carolina (P423B) have requested a modification to Permit 984 to take 
listed shortnose sturgeon as authorized by the ESA. The applicants 
currently have a 2-year permit to take shortnose sturgeon in rivers of 
NC, to determine distribution and habitat use. The permit authorizes 30 
adult shortnose sturgeon to be weighed, measured, photographed, tagged, 
have tissue samples taken, and be released. Up to 10 of these adult 
shortnose sturgeon may be tagged with an ultrasonic transmitter, and 
tracked. Eggs and larvae may be collected to gather information on 
spawning sites. The applicants request two changes to their permit: 1) 
To extend the permit until December 31, 2000; and 2) to remove 
authorization to conduct research in the Alligator and Chowan Rivers 
and instead have authorization to conduct research on the Pee Dee and 
Waccamaw Rivers.
    Issuance of this permit and modified permits, as required by the 
ESA, was based on a finding that such permit and modification: (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 and 
modifications, and (3) are consistent with the purposes and policies 
set forth in section 2 of the ESA.
    Those individuals requesting a hearing on the request to modify 
Permit 984 should set out the specific reasons why a hearing on this 
particular application would be appropriate (see ADDRESSES). The 
holding of such hearing is at the discretion of the Assistant 
Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA. All statements and opinions 
contained in the request summary are those of the applicant and do not 
necessarily reflect the views of NMFS.


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    Dated: March 17, 1997.
Joseph R. Blum,
Acting Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 97-7208 Filed 3-20-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F