Issuance of a modification to scientific research permit no. 13330 to the NMFS Southeast Fisheries Science Center to conduct research on protected smalltooth sawfish

Lecky, James H.

"The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to issue a modification to a research permit to the NMFS Southeast Regional Science Center for takes of smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata) in the wild, pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The modification would be valid through October 31, 2013. The primary objective of the proposed modification would remain unchanged: to non-lethally collect data on the biology, distribution and abundance of the endangered smalltooth sawfish to facilitate recovery of the species. Sampling, with the goal of taking 45 smalltooth sawfish annually, is currently authorized by longline, gillnet, seine net, drum (set) lines, or rod and reel throughout Florida's coastal waters, but primarily in the region of the Florida coast from Naples to Key West, encompassing the Ten Thousand Islands. All captured sawfish are to be handled, measured, tagged, sampled, and released alive. Current tagging methods include rototags (fin tags), dart tags, umbrella dart tags, Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tags, acoustic transmitters, Pop-Up Archival Transmitting (PAT) tags, and Smart Position Only Transmitting (SPOT) tags. Sampling also includes tissue fin clips and blood. Finally, dead sawfish acquired through strandings or from law enforcement confiscations are also measured and sampled for scientific purposes"--Abstract.

Environmental Assessment

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)