Supplemental environmental assessment for issuance of a modification to scientific research permit no. 14726-01 for research on protected sea turtles Issuance of a modification to scientific research permit no. 14726-01 for research on protected sea turtles

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of Protected Resources, proposes to issue a modification to a scientific research permit for takes of sea turtles in the wild, pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (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). The objectives of Penn it No. 14726-01 are to 1) assess areas that serve as developmental habitat for pelagic juvenile and neonate sea turtles; 2) quantify threats to pelagic sea turtles; and 3) study their life-history, genetics, movements, behavior, and diet in Florida waters. The proposed modification would authorize additional research objectives and procedures, increase the number of sea turtles taken annually, and broaden the action area. NMFS prepared an environmental assessment (EA) for issuance of the permit in 2010 and a supplemental EA (SEA) for issuance of a modification to the permit in 2011. This SEA evaluates the potential impacts to the human environment from issuance of the proposed permit modification by supplementing the 2011 SEA's assessment of potential impacts on sea turtles.