AGENCY:
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION:
Scientific research permit modification.
SUMMARY:
Notice is hereby given that a request for modification of scientific research permit no. 1187 submitted by Mr. Christopher J. McNally, St. George's School has been granted.
ADDRESSES:
The amendment and related documents are available for review upon written request or by appointment in the following office(s):
Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone (301)713-2289, fax (301)713-0376;
Southeast Region, NMFS, 9721 Executive Center Drive North, St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2432; phone (727)570-5301; fax (727)570-5320;
Northeast Region, NMFS, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-2298; phone (978)281-9200; fax (978)281-9371.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Patrick Opay, (301)713-1401 or Ruth Johnson, (301)713-2289.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The requested amendment has been granted under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and the provisions of 50 CFR 222.306 of the regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened fish and wildlife (50 CFR 222-226).
The modification extends the expiration date of the Permit from December 31, 2003, to December 31, 2004, for takes of green (Chelonia mydas), loggerhead (Caretta caretta), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) and Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) sea turtles. The take authority has been extended 1 year, or until the permit holder has exhausted the total number of unused takes authorized for the year in which this permit was about to expire, whichever occurs first. NMFS is also taking this opportunity to update permit conditions and reporting requirements so they meet current permitting standards.
Issuance of this amendment, 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 threatened and endangered species which are the subject of this permit; and (3) is consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the ESA.
Dated: September 12, 2003.
Stephen L. Leathery,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 03-23870 Filed 9-17-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S