83 FR 5249 - Endangered Species; File No. 21293
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 25 (February 6, 2018)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 25 (February 6, 2018)
| Page Range | 5249-5249 | |
| FR Document | 2018-02320 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 25 (Tuesday, February 6, 2018)] [Notices] [Page 5249] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-02320] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648-XF285 Endangered Species; File No. 21293 AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS has issued a permit to Mr. Jack Rudloe, Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratories, Inc. (GSML), for the incidental take of Gulf sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi), loggerhead (Caretta caretta Northwest Atlantic Ocean Distinct Population Segment), green (Chelonia mydas North Atlantic Distinct Population Segment), Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) and leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) associated with the otherwise lawful trawling activities in Florida state waters of Bay, Gulf, Franklin, and Wakulla Counties. ADDRESSES: The incidental take permit, final environmental assessment, and other related documents are available on the NMFS Office of Protected Resources website at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/esa_review.htm. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sara Wissmann, phone: (301) 427-8402; email: [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 9 of the ESA and Federal regulations prohibits the `taking' of a species listed as endangered or threatened. The ESA defines ``take'' to mean harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct. NMFS may issue permits, under limited circumstances to take listed species incidental to, and not the purpose of, otherwise lawful activities. Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the ESA provides for authorizing incidental take of listed species. The regulations for issuing incidental take permits for threatened and endangered species are promulgated at 50 CFR 222.307. NMFS received a permit application from GSML on February 4, 2016. Based on our review of the application, we requested further information and clarification. On July 22, 2016, GSML submitted supplemental information to its application. NMFS and GSML held further discussions on amount and extent of anticipated takes and clarifications of gear type to be used. On March 16, 2017, NMFS notified GSML of this approach, and GSML confirmed the updated approach on March 21, 2017. On April 12, 2017, we published a notice of application receipt and requested review and comment on the application and conservation plan in the Federal Register (82 FR 17638). The public comment period for the application and conservation plan closed on May 12, 2017. NMFS received three comments on the action, all were generally supportive of the issuance of the permit. Specific concerns were raised on duration of the permit and oversite of activities covered by the permit, which were address in the Environmental Assessment. On November 6, 2017, we published a notice of availability of the draft Environmental Assessment and requested review and comment in the Federal Register (82 FR 51398). The public comment period for the Environmental Assessment closed on December 6, 2017, and no comments were received. NMFS has issued the requested permit 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 222-226). This permit authorizes the incidental take of up to a total of six sea turtles, all live, in any combination, of loggerhead, green, Kemp's ridley or leatherback sea turtles and up to six Gulf sturgeon, alive. If incidental captures reach the established level for either turtles or sturgeon, GSML must cease activities authorized under this ITP. Take must be incidental to otherwise lawful trawling activities described in the ITP application, and as conditioned in the permit. This ITP covers incidental take from date of issuance through December 11, 2035. The conservation plan prepared by GSML describes measures designed to minimize and mitigate the impacts of any incidental takes of ESA- listed sea turtles and sturgeon. The main way that GSML will do this is by limiting tow times to 30 minutes. In the case of incidental capture this plan includes provisions to ensure that any captured sea turtles in need of resuscitation are provided such care, per NMFS guidelines. Additionally, any turtles needing medical attention or rehabilitation will be cared for by authorized persons and facilities. This permit also requires the applicant to follow specific handling procedures for Gulf sturgeon to minimize impacts to this species should an interaction occur. The conservation plan mitigates the impacts of any incidental takes of ESA-listed sea turtles that are harmed due to interactions with other fisheries in the area. Specifically, GSML will remove, taking into account any human safety considerations, any turtles it encounters entangled in fishing lines, nets, and trap ropes. If any of these sea turtles require care, GSML will transport them to a permitted sea turtle rehabilitation facility. Dated: February 1, 2018. Angela Somma, Chief, Endangered Species Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2018-02320 Filed 2-5-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 25 / Tuesday, February 6, 2018 / Notices 5249
interested parties to research and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 9 captures reach the established level for
prepare comments. Based on this of the ESA and Federal regulations either turtles or sturgeon, GSML must
request, the comment period for prohibits the ‘taking’ of a species listed cease activities authorized under this
submission of comments and as endangered or threatened. The ESA ITP. Take must be incidental to
information relevant to this 5-year defines ‘‘take’’ to mean harass, harm, otherwise lawful trawling activities
review is extended to April 6, 2018, as pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, described in the ITP application, and as
requested, to provide additional capture, or collect, or to attempt to conditioned in the permit. This ITP
opportunity for public comment. engage in any such conduct. NMFS may covers incidental take from date of
issue permits, under limited issuance through December 11, 2035.
Correction of Address circumstances to take listed species The conservation plan prepared by
The electronic link provided in the incidental to, and not the purpose of, GSML describes measures designed to
Federal Register (82 FR 57955) notice otherwise lawful activities. Section minimize and mitigate the impacts of
for submission of comments via the 10(a)(1)(B) of the ESA provides for any incidental takes of ESA-listed sea
Federal eRulemaking Portal is not authorizing incidental take of listed turtles and sturgeon. The main way that
correct. Thus, NMFS provides a new species. The regulations for issuing GSML will do this is by limiting tow
electronic link (https://www.regulations. incidental take permits for threatened times to 30 minutes. In the case of
gov/docket?D=NOAA-NMFS-2017-0137) and endangered species are incidental capture this plan includes
in the address section above. promulgated at 50 CFR 222.307. provisions to ensure that any captured
NMFS received a permit application sea turtles in need of resuscitation are
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
from GSML on February 4, 2016. Based provided such care, per NMFS
Dated: February 1, 2018. on our review of the application, we guidelines. Additionally, any turtles
Angela Somma, requested further information and needing medical attention or
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office clarification. On July 22, 2016, GSML rehabilitation will be cared for by
of Protected Resources, National Marine submitted supplemental information to authorized persons and facilities. This
Fisheries Service. its application. NMFS and GSML held permit also requires the applicant to
[FR Doc. 2018–02326 Filed 2–5–18; 8:45 am] further discussions on amount and follow specific handling procedures for
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P extent of anticipated takes and Gulf sturgeon to minimize impacts to
clarifications of gear type to be used. On this species should an interaction occur.
March 16, 2017, NMFS notified GSML The conservation plan mitigates the
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE of this approach, and GSML confirmed impacts of any incidental takes of ESA-
the updated approach on March 21, listed sea turtles that are harmed due to
National Oceanic and Atmospheric 2017.
Administration interactions with other fisheries in the
On April 12, 2017, we published a area. Specifically, GSML will remove,
notice of application receipt and taking into account any human safety
RIN 0648–XF285 requested review and comment on the considerations, any turtles it encounters
application and conservation plan in the entangled in fishing lines, nets, and trap
Endangered Species; File No. 21293 Federal Register (82 FR 17638). The ropes. If any of these sea turtles require
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries public comment period for the care, GSML will transport them to a
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and application and conservation plan permitted sea turtle rehabilitation
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), closed on May 12, 2017. NMFS received
facility.
Commerce. three comments on the action, all were
generally supportive of the issuance of Dated: February 1, 2018.
ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit. the permit. Specific concerns were Angela Somma,
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that raised on duration of the permit and Chief, Endangered Species Conservation
oversite of activities covered by the Division, Office of Protected Resources,
NMFS has issued a permit to Mr. Jack National Marine Fisheries Service.
Rudloe, Gulf Specimen Marine permit, which were address in the
Laboratories, Inc. (GSML), for the Environmental Assessment. [FR Doc. 2018–02320 Filed 2–5–18; 8:45 am]
On November 6, 2017, we published BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
incidental take of Gulf sturgeon
a notice of availability of the draft
(Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi),
Environmental Assessment and
loggerhead (Caretta caretta Northwest
requested review and comment in the DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Atlantic Ocean Distinct Population
Federal Register (82 FR 51398). The
Segment), green (Chelonia mydas North National Oceanic and Atmospheric
public comment period for the
Atlantic Distinct Population Segment), Administration
Environmental Assessment closed on
Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys kempii)
December 6, 2017, and no comments
and leatherback sea turtles National Sea Grant Advisory Board
were received. NMFS has issued the
(Dermochelys coriacea) associated with (NSGAB); Meeting: The National Sea
requested permit under the authority of
the otherwise lawful trawling activities Grant Advisory Board Spring 2018
the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
in Florida state waters of Bay, Gulf, Meeting Will Be Held March 6–7, 2018.
amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.)
Franklin, and Wakulla Counties.
and the regulations governing the AGENCY: National Oceanic and
ADDRESSES: The incidental take permit, taking, importing, and exporting of Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
final environmental assessment, and endangered and threatened species (50 Department of Commerce (DOC).
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
other related documents are available on CFR parts 222–226). ACTION: Notice of public meeting.
the NMFS Office of Protected Resources This permit authorizes the incidental
website at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ take of up to a total of six sea turtles, SUMMARY: This notice sets forth the
pr/permits/esa_review.htm. all live, in any combination, of schedule and proposed agenda of a
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sara loggerhead, green, Kemp’s ridley or forthcoming meeting of the NSGAB.
Wissmann, phone: (301) 427–8402; leatherback sea turtles and up to six NSGAB members will discuss and
email: Sara.Wissmann@noaa.gov. Gulf sturgeon, alive. If incidental provide advice on the National Sea
VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:02 Feb 05, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\06FEN1.SGM 06FEN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/83_FR_5274/page/1.svg)
Document Created: 2018-02-06 00:30:46
Document Modified: 2018-02-06 00:30:46
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice; issuance of permit. | |
| Contact | Sara Wissmann, phone: (301) 427-8402; email: [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 5249 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XF28 |
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