New Authorization Proposed for Agencies Assisting Stranded Endangered Sea Turtle

New Authorization Proposed for Agencies Assisting Stranded Endangered Sea Turtles

A new proposed rule would allow any agent or employee of NOAA Fisheries
Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Coast Guard, or any other Federal land or water management agency, or any agent or employee of a state agency responsible for fish and wildlife who, when acting in the course of his or her official duties, is a member of the Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network (STSSN), to collect and dispose of dead turtles or aid live endangered sea turtles encountered in the marine environment.

Actions taken by stranding and entanglement networks improve the survivability of sick or injured turtles and increase our knowledge about population structure, disease, environmental stressors and manmade threats in the marine environment. Detailed information on the types of activities conducted through the STSSN program is provided in the proposed rule. Network Responders are highly experienced personnel who have undertaken extensive training, and the activities authorized by the proposed rule would clearly provide a benefit to endangered sea turtle populations.Public comments on this proposed rule must be received by 5 p.m., eastern daylight time, on April 28, 2005. Comments may be submitted via e-mail to Se*************@**aa.gov.

A new proposed rule would allow any agent or employee of NOAA Fisheries
Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Coast Guard, or any other Federal land or water management agency, or any agent or employee of a state agency responsible for fish and wildlife who, when acting in the course of his or her official duties, is a member of the Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network (STSSN), to collect and dispose of dead turtles or aid live endangered sea turtles encountered in the marine environment.

Actions taken by stranding and entanglement networks improve the survivability of sick or injured turtles and increase our knowledge about population structure, disease, environmental stressors and manmade threats in the marine environment. Detailed information on the types of activities conducted through the STSSN program is provided in the proposed rule. Network Responders are highly experienced personnel who have undertaken extensive training, and the activities authorized by the proposed rule would clearly provide a benefit to endangered sea turtle populations.Public comments on this proposed rule must be received by 5 p.m., eastern daylight time, on April 28, 2005. Comments may be submitted via e-mail to Se*************@**aa.gov.