Biological and Conference Opinion on the Proposed Implementation of a Program for the Issuance of Permits for Research and Enhancement Activities on Threatened and Endangered Sea Turtles Pursuant to Section 10(a) of the Endangered Species Act (2018 Reinitiation)

The action agency for this consultation is NMFS, Office of Protected Resources (OPR), Permits and Conservation Division. The Permits Division proposes to implement a program for the issuance of permits for research and enhancement activities on ESA-listed sea turtles. On December 21, 2017, the Interagency Cooperation Division finalized its section 7 biological opinion and determined that the Permit Division’s permitting program is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any ESA-listed or proposed species, or destroy or adversely modify designated or proposed critical habitat. The Permits Division submitted an amended request for consultation to include tank-based acoustic studies for ADDs and AEDs. Consultation in accordance with section 7(a)(2) of the ESA, associated implementing regulations (50 C.F.R. §402), and agency policy and guidance was conducted by the NMFS OPR ESA Interagency Cooperation Division. This biological and conference opinion (opinion) and ITS were prepared by the Interagency Cooperation Division in accordance with section 7(b) of the ESA and implementing regulations at 50 CFR §402. This document represents NMFS’s opinion on the effects of these actions on endangered and threatened species and designated critical habitat for those species.