[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 185 (Monday, September 24, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 58812]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-23491]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XC252


Endangered Species; File No. 17316

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that George Burgess, Ph.D., Florida 
Museum of Natural History, Dickinson Hall, University of Gainesville, 
Gainesville, FL, 32611, has applied in due form for a permit to take 
smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata) for purposes of scientific 
research.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before October 24, 2012.

ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for 
review by selecting Records Open for Public Comment from the Features 
box on the Applications and Permits for Protected Species (APPS) home 
page, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File No. 17316 
from the list of available applications.
    These documents are also available upon written request or by 
appointment in the following offices:

Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 
1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone 
(301) 427-8401; fax (301) 713-0376; and
Southeast Region, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, FL 
33701; phone (727) 824-5312; fax (727)824-5309.

    Written comments on this application should be submitted to the 
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division
     By email to [email protected] (include the File 
No. in the subject line of the email),
     By facsimile to (301) 713-0376, or
     At the address listed above.
    Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a 
written request to the Chief, Permits and Conservation Division at the 
address listed above. The request should set forth the specific reasons 
why a hearing on this application would be appropriate.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colette Cairns or Jennifer Skidmore, 
(301) 427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is requested 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 
222-226).
    The applicant proposes to gather life history information on 
smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata) populations of Florida, 
primarily in Florida Bay and the upper Keys area. The purpose of the 
research is to investigate the movements and habitat use of smalltooth 
sawfish in Florida waters. Annually, up to 80 sawfish would be captured 
by gillnet, longline, or angling gear, measured, passive integrated 
transponder, roto, dart, and external satellite tagged, tissue, muscle, 
and blood sampled, and released. Dead sawfish acquired through 
strandings or from law enforcement confiscations would be sampled for 
scientific purposes. The permit is requested for a duration of 5 years.

    Dated: September 18, 2012.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-23491 Filed 9-21-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P