Download or read book Supplemental Environmental Assessment on the Effects of Issuing a Permit Modification for Scientific Research on Endangered Shortnose and Atlantic Sturgeon in the Hudson River File 17095 01 written by and published by . This book was released on 2013 with total page 22 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to issue a permit modification to a five-year scientific research permit (Permit No. 17095) issued to Entergy Nuclear Operations Inc., 450 Broadway, Suite 3, Buchanan, NY 10511, pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA; 16 U.S.c. 1531 et seq.). The action would continue to exempt the permit holder from takes of shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) and Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) under the ESA, by capture, harassment, wounding and hann during bona fide scientific research. Permit No. 17095 currently authorizes the Permit Holder to: monitor shortnose and Atlantic sturgeon abundance and distribution through the Hudson River Biological Monitoring Program (HRBMP) in the Hudson River from River Mile 0 (Battery Park, Manhattan, NY) to River Mile 152 at Troy Dam (Albany, NY). Researchers are authorized to non-lethally capture, handle, measure, weigh, scan for tags, insert passive integrated transponder and dart tags, photograph, tissue sample, and release up to 82 shortnose sturgeon and 82 Atlantic sturgeon annually. Additionally, researchers are permitted to lethally collect up to 40 shortnose sturgeon and up to 40 Atlantic sturgeon eggs and/or larvae (ELS) annually. To account for a higher than expected catch per unit effort of Atlantic sturgeon so far under Permit No. 17095, the Permit Holder now wishes to increase the number of takes for juvenile, sub-adult and adult Atlantic sturgeon to 200 fish per year. However, take would not exceed a total of 600 Atlantic sturgeon captured over the permit life. The number of shortnose sturgeon taken would remain the same. The Permit Holder also requests that the action area be expanded two miles south of the Battery (Manhattan at River Mile 0) to include the upper New York Harbor (~River Mile -2.0). The amount of lethal collection of Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon ELS would remain the same. The modification would be valid until the permit expires August 28, 2017.

Download or read book Environmental Assessment on the Effects of Issuing a Permit for Scientific Research on Endangered Shortnose and Atlantic Sturgeon in the Hudson River written by and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page 26 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to issue a five-year scientific research permit (Permit No. 17095) to Entergy Nuclear Operations Inc., 450 Broadway, Suite 3, Buchanan, NY 10511, pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The action would exempt the permit holder from takes of shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) and Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) under the ESA, by capture, harassment, wounding and harm during bona fide scientific research. The purpose of the research would be to monitor sturgeon abundance and distribution through the Hudson River Biological Monitoring Program (HRBMP). The action area includes the Hudson River from River Mile 0 (Battery Park, Manhattan) to River Mile 152 at Troy Dam (Albany, NY). The focus of the monitoring program is fish identification, mark and recapture, and enumeration within defined Hudson River region and depth strata. Researchers would be authorized to non-lethally capture, handle, measure, weigh, scan for tags, insert passive integrated transponder (PIT) and dart tags, photograph, tissue sample, and release up to 82 shortnose sturgeon and 82 Atlantic sturgeon annually. Additionally, researchers would be permitted to lethally take up to 40 shortnose sturgeon eggs and/or larvae and 40 Atlantic sturgeon eggs and/or larvae (ELS) annually"--Abstract.

Download or read book Supplemental Environmental Assessment SEA on the Issuance of a Modified Scientific Research Permit File No 16436 01 to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to Conduct Scientific Research on Endangered Shortnose and Atlantic Sturgeon in the Hudson River written by and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 60 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In response to the receipt of an application from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), NMFS, Office of Protected Resources (PR) proposes to modify Permit No. 16436 and terminate Permit No. 16439 pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Both permits are held by the NYSDEC. The Permit Holder proposes to continue studying the population dynamics and seasonal habitat use of Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) authorized in Permit 16436 and proposes to consolidate the existing takes of shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) in Permit 16439 and then terminate Permit No. 16439 upon issuance of the modification. The Permit Holder also requests increasing the numbers and procedures for taking both Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon to meet new objectives, including tracking movement, habitat and diet changes in response to major construction projects on the Hudson River. The modification would be valid through the expiration date of the original permit on April 5, 2017.

Download or read book Environmental Assessment EA on the Effects of the Issuance of a Scientific Research Permit file No 16439 to Conduct Scientific Research on Shortnose Sturgeon in the Hudson River written by and published by . This book was released on 2011 with total page 59 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "The current Environmental Assessment (EA) analyzed the effects of shortnose sturgeon research on the environment within the Hudson River Estuary. Specifically, the applicant is seeking a five-year scientific research permit characterizing habitat use, population abundance, reproduction, juvenile recruitment, age and growth, temporal and spatial distributions, diet selectivity, and contamination load of shortnose sturgeon captured from the Hudson River Estuary from New York Harbor to Troy Dam. The applicant would use anchored and drift gill nets and trawls capturing up to 240 and 2,340 shortnose sturgeon during year 1-3 and year 4-5, respectively. Research activities would also include: measuring, weighing; tagging unmarked individuals with passive integrated transponder and Floy tags; and sampling tissue for genetic analysis. A first subset of fish would be anesthetized and tagged with acoustic transmitters; a second subset would have fin rays sampled for ageing; and a third subset of fish would have gastric contents lavaged for diet analysis, as well as have blood samples taken for contaminant testing. A total of four unintended mortalities are requested over the life of the permit. TIle proposed action analyzed in the EA would not have significant environmental effects on the target or non-target species; public health and safety would not affected; no unique geographic area would be affected; and the effects of this study would not be highly uncertain, nor would they involve unique or unknown risks. Issuance of this permit would not set a precedent for future actions with significant effects, nor would it represent a decision in principle about a future consideration. There would not be individually insignificant but cumulatively significant impacts associated with the proposed action, and there would not be adverse effects on historic resources. The permit would contain mitigating measures to avoid unnecessary stress to the subject animals"--Cover letter; Portfolio comprised of three related PDF documents digitized and organized by: NOAA Office of Program Planning and Integration (PPI) National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) staff.

Download or read book Environmental Assessment on the Effects of the Issuance of a Scientific Research Permit File No 14396 to Conduct Scientific Research on Shortnose Sturgeon in the Delaware River written by and published by . This book was released on 2010 with total page 51 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to issue a scientific research permit to the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control-Division of Fish and Wildlife (DNREC-DFW), Dover, Delaware, for takes of shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) in the wild, pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The primary objective of the proposed research would be to locate and document early juvenile (

Download or read book Environmental Assessment on the Effects of the Issuance of Scientific Research Permit File No 15614 to Conduct Research on Shortnose Sturgeon in Connecticut Waters written by and published by . This book was released on 2011 with total page 33 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to issue a scientific research permit for takes of listed shortnose sturgeon under the authority of the Endangered Species Act. The purpose of File No. 15614 is to monitor shortnose sturgeon populations in Connecticut waters by examining habitat utilization patterns, dietary preferences, and ageing. The preferred alternative is not expected to have more than short-term effects on shortnose sturgeon and will not significantly impact the quality of the human environment"--Cover letter.

Download or read book Environmental Assessment on the Effects of the Issuance of a Scientific Research Permit File No 14176 to Conduct Research on Shortnose Sturgeon in the Potomac River Maryland and Virginia written by and published by . This book was released on 2010 with total page 41 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to issue a scientific research permit for takes under the authority of the Endangered Species Act. The purpose of File No. 14176 is to collect biological and life history information on shortnose sturgeon in the Potomac River, Maryland and Virginia, including tracking seasonal movements, spawning periodicity, and genetics. The preferred alternative is not expected to have more than short-term effects on shortnose sturgeon and will not significantly impact the quality of the human environment"--Cover letter.

Download or read book Environmental Assessment on the Effects of Issuing a Permit for Scientific Research on Protected Shortnose Sturgeon in the Gulf of Maine written by and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page 31 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to issue Scientific Research Permit No. 16306 pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The permit would exempt the permit holder from takes of shortnose sturgeon under the ESA, by capture, harassment, wounding, and harm. The purpose of the research for Permit No. 16306 is to characterize migration patterns and habitat preferences, generate population estimates, examine age structure and feeding habits, and otherwise gather key life history information for shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) in the Gulf of Maine and its adjoining coastal rivers. The permit would be valid for five years from the date of issuance"--Abstract from Environmental Assessment; Portfolio comprised of three related PDF documents digitized and organized by: NOAA Office of Program Planning and Integration (PPI) National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) staff.

Download or read book Supplemental Environmental Assessment SEA on the Issuance of Two Modifications to Scientific Research Permits file Nos 14759 and 16375 to the North Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit to Conduct Research on Shortnose Sturgeon and Atlantic Sturgeon written by and published by . This book was released on 2013 with total page 18 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to issue modifications to two research permits held by the North Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit [hereinafter "Permit Holder" and Joseph Hightower, Ph.D., Responsible Party/Principal Investigator: North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695] for takes of shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) (File No. 14759-01) and for takes of Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) (File No. 16375-01) in the wild, pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The research objectives for both permits would remain unchanged: to collect data on the biology, distribution and abundance of endangered shortnose sturgeon and Atlantic sturgeon to facilitate recovery of the respective species. In Permit No. 14759, the Permit Holder is currently authorized to capture with gill net, measure, weigh, genetic tissue sample, PIT tag and Floy tag up to 15 shortnose sturgeon annually from the Chowan and Cape Fear River Basins and Albemarle Sound. Additionally, the Permit Holder is authorized to capture and sample up to 25 shortnose sturgeon per year from the Roanoke River Basin. Annually, a sub- set of up to five sub-adults or adults from each of the river basins and Albemarle Sound can also be anesthetized and surgically implanted with internal sonic transmitters annually. In Permit No. 16375, the Permit Holder is authorized to capture with gill nets measure, weigh, genetic tissue sample, PIT and Floy tag up to 200 Atlantic sturgeon annually from the same locations authorized in Permit No. 14759. Further, a sub-set of up to ninety juvenile, sub-adult or adult Atlantic sturgeon may be annually implanted with acoustic transmitter tags within the Albemarle Sound, and Roanoke, Chowan and Cape Fear River Basins, with no more than 45 tagged in each the Cape Fear River system or the combined area for the Albemarle Sound, Roanoke River and Chowan River. The applicant now requests authorization to verify spawning activity shortnose and Atlantic sturgeon by deploying artificial egg mats downstream of suspected spawning areas to take up to 50 early life stages (ELS) of each species annually from both the Roanoke River and Cape Fear River (total of 200 ELS). The expanded action area for each species up to the first impassible dam on the Roanoke River (rkm 221) and on the Cape Fear (rkm 300), will also be a part of the permit modification. All other currently authorized takes, methods and activities would remain the same for each permit. The modifications would be valid through the expiration dates of the original Permit No. 14759 (August 19, 2015) and Permit No. 16375 (April 5, 2017).

Download or read book Environmental Assessment on the Effects of the Issuance of a Scientific Research Permit file No 15677 to Conduct Scientific Research on Shortnose Sturgeon in South Carolina Rivers written by and published by . This book was released on 2011 with total page 67 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "The current EA analyzed the effects of shortnose sturgeon research on the environment within South Carolina river basins. Specificall y, the Savannah, ACE Basin, including the Ashepoo, Combabee and Edisto Rivers, Cooper, and Santee Rivers, Lake Marion and its tributaries, and the Winyah Bay system, including the Black, Waccamaw, Sampit, Little Pee Dee and Great Pee Dee Rivers, would be surveyed with gill nets and trawls to the first impassible dam. If authorized, the applicant would also assess shortnose sturgeon usage of the upper Santee River Basin (Wateree, Saluda, and Congaree Rivers) as part of two Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) relicensing projects: the Duke Energy Catawba Wateree and the SCANA Services Saluda Hydroelectric Projects. The proposed action analyzed in the EA would not have significant environmental effects on the target or non-target species; public health and safety would not [be] affected; no unique geographic area would be affected; and the effects of this study would not be highly uncertain, nor would they involve unique or unknown risks. Issuance of this permit would not set a precedent for future actions with significant effects, nor would it represent a decision in principle about a future consideration. There would not be individually insignificant but cumulatively significant impacts associated with the proposed action, and there would not be adverse effects on historic resources. The permit would contain mitigating measures to avoid unnecessary stress to the subject animals"--Cover letter.

Download or read book Environmental Assessment on the Effects of the Issuance of a Scientific Research Permit file No 14759 to Conduct Scientific Research on Shortnose Sturgeon in North Carolina Rivers written by and published by . This book was released on 2010 with total page 63 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to issue a scientific research pennit (File No. 14759) to Joseph Hightower, Ph. D. (North Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695), to take shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) in the wild for purposes of scientific research pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The applicant is seeking a five-year scientific research permit assessing the presence, abundance, and distribution of shortnose sturgeon within North Carolina river basins (Chowan, Roanoke, and Cape Fear and estuaries) and Albemarle Sound using non-lethal sampling methods. The researcher proposes to combine hydroacoustic surveys (using side-scan and DIDSON sonar) and gill nets, to annually capture, measure, weigh, genetic tissue sample, PIT tag and Floy tag up to 15 shortnose sturgeon annually from the Chowan and Cape Fear River Basins and Albemarle Sound. He also proposes similar activity capturing up to 25 shortnose sturgeon annually from the Roanoke River Basin. A sub-set of up to five sub-adults or adults from each river basin and Albemarle Sound would be anesthetized and implanted with internal sonic transmitters each year. Manual tracking and passive detections of telemetered fish at fixed receiver stations would provide infonnation about movement, seasonal distribution and habitat use"--Abstract (p. [1]).

Download or read book Supplemental Environmental Assessment SEA on the Issuance of a Modified Scientific Research Permit file No 16482 01 to the Warnell School of Forest Resources Fisheries Division to Conduct Scientific Research on Endangered Shortnose and Atlantic Sturgeon in Georgia and Florida Waters written by and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 42 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In response to the receipt of an application for a permit modification from Warnell School of Forest Resources, Fisheries Division [hereinafter, Permit Holder, and Douglas Peterson, PhD, Responsible Party (RP)/Principal Investigator (PI)], University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602], NMFS, Office of Protected Resources (PR) proposes to modify Permit No. 16482 to include additional "takes" of shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) and Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).The permit holder proposes to continue studying the population dynamics and seasonal habitat use of Atlantic sturgeon in the rivers and estuaries as currently authorized in Permit 16482 in the Savannah (GA/SC), Ogeechee (GA), Altamaha (GA), Satilla (GA), and Saint Marys Rivers (GA/FL). The Permit Holder is authorized to capture Atlantic sturgeon with gill nets and trammel nets and also measure, weigh, genetic tissue sample, PIT tag and Floy tag, acoustic tag, laparoscope, biopsy, anesthetize, gastric lavage, fin ray clip, acoustic tag and to collect early life stages. However, the permit holder now proposes to combine takes of shortnose sturgeon, which were previously authorized under separate permits while fishing concurrently for Atlantic sturgeon. One existing shortnose sturgeon permit in Georgia waters would be terminated when the modification is issued, while other expired shortnose sturgeon permits would be reapplied for as previously authorized. The permit holder also requests taking 100 blood samples from both species captured from the Altamaha River. Further, the modification expands the project area to include northeast Florida's Nassau and St. Johns rivers and adjoining waterways, as well as to authorize the take of shortnose and Atlantic sturgeon. The modification would be valid through the expiration date of the original permit on April 5, 2017.

Download or read book Supplemental Environmental Assessment SEA on the Issuance of a Modification to Scientific Research Permit No 16507 Dewayne Fox to Conduct Research on Shortnose Sturgeon written by and published by . This book was released on 2013 with total page 12 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to issue a modification to a research permit to Dewayne Fox, PhD., for takes of Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) 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 April 5, 2017. The objectives of the research for Atlantic sturgeon would remain unchanged: to collect data on the biology, distribution and abundance of endangered Atlantic sturgeon to facilitate recovery of the species. Three projects fall under the permitted research. The first project authorizes directed mortality of Atlantic sturgeon eggs. As part of the second project, a hydroacoustic assessment survey, 100 Atlantic sturgeon are authorized for capture by gill net, and for measuring, weighing, tissue sampling, and PIT tagging. The third involves the capture of 300 Atlantic sturgeon annually by gill net throughout Delaware's coastal waters, and in the Delaware Bay and River. All captured Atlantic sturgeon are measured, passive integrated transponder tagged, tissue sampled, and released. Subsets of captured Atlantic sturgeon are fitted with internal satellite tags or external pop-off satellite tags; sampling also includes gonad tissue biopsy. The applicant now requests authorization for 100 annual shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) takes for the remainder of the permit; all capture methods, action areas and activities would remain the same as for the currently authorized Atlantic sturgeon takes. The authorization to sample an additional sturgeon species would allow the permit holder to test use of a hydroacoustic assessment method for shortnose sturgeon which is currently authorized for Atlantic sturgeon.

Download or read book Environmental Assessment on the Effects of the Issuance of a Scientific Research Permit file No 14394 to Conduct Research on Shortnose Sturgeon in the Altamaha River Georgia written by and published by . This book was released on 2009 with total page 53 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "In response to receipt of a request from Douglas Peterson, PhD, University of Georgia (File No. 14394), the National Marine Fisheries Service Office of Protected Resources (NMFS OPR) proposes to issue a scientific research permit authorizing takes of shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) 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 goals of the proposed research are to assess the distribution, abundance and movements of adult and sub-adult shortnose sturgeon in the Altamaha River system of Georgia. The specific objectives of the proposed project would be to: (1) re-assess the current population of shortnose sturgeon in the Altamaha River to evaluate current population trend, (2) analyze the age structure of the current population to identify potential shifts in demographic structure since last estimates were completed in 2004; (3) to identify, quantify and define critical habitats of shortnose sturgeon in the Altamaha River; (4) better understand recruitment processes and critical habitats of juvenile shortnose sturgeon; and (5) better understand interspecific interactions with sympatric population of juvenile Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) by studying the overlap in diet and habitat selectivity among both species. In addition, data specific to other critical habitat and use patterns would be obtained. Genetic samples from this study, in combination with samples from other river systems, would aid in evaluation of range wide population structure."--Page 4.

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Download or read book Environmental Assessment on the Effects of the Issuance of a Scientific Research Permit file No 14604 to Conduct Scientific Research on Shortnose Sturgeon in the Delaware River written by United States. National Marine Fisheries Service. Office of Protected Resources and published by . This book was released on 2010 with total page 67 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "The current EA analyzed the effects of shortnose sturgeon research on the environment in the Delaware River where researchers propose to document habitat use, relative abundance, reproduction, juvenile recruitment, temporal and spatial distributions, and reproductive health of the shortnose sturgeon population in the Delaware River and Estuary. The proposed permit requests annual authorization for non-lethal sampling methods on up to 1,000 adult and juvenile shortnose sturgeon. Research activities would include: capturing via gill net, trammel net, and trawl net; measuring and weighing; tagging with PIT and Floy T-bar tags; and sampling tissue for genetic analysis. A subset of 30 adults and 30 juveniles would be tagged with acoustic transmitters. Another subset of 24 adults would be examined internally using laparoscopic techniques and each would potentially also have gonad biopsy and blood sample taken for analyses. Another subset of 20 adults per year would be included in hydroacoustic gear testing. Additionally, lethal collection of up to 300 eggs and larvae each year (not exceeding 900 over five years) would take place during seasonal spawning activity by artifidal substrate, D-frame ichthyoplankton net, and/or epibenthic sled. Finally, one annually, or up to three unintended mortalities or serious harm resulting from research, is requested over the life of the permit. The proposed action analyzed in the EA would not have significant environmental effects on the target or non-target species; public health and safety would not affected; no unique geographic area would be affected; and the effects of this study would not be highly uncertain, nor would they involve unique or unknown risks. Issuance of this permit would not set a precedent for future actions with significant effects, nor would it represent a decision in prindple about a future consideration. There would not be individually insignificant but cumulatively significant impacts associated with the proposed action, and there would not be adverse effects on historic resources. The permit would contain mitigating measures to avoid unnecessary stress to the subject animals"--Cover letter.

Download or read book Environmental Assessment EA on the Issuance of a Scientific Research Permit permit No 16549 to the S O Conte Anadromous Fish Research Center CAFRC to Conduct Research Activities on Endangered Wild and Captive Shortnose Sturgeon written by and published by . This book was released on 2013 with total page 54 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The S.O. Conte Anadromous Fish Research Center; USGS, Box 796 (One Migratory Way, Turners Falls, Massachusetts 01376), is requesting authorization for a scientific research permit for takes of shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) in the wild and captivity pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. §§ 1531 et seq.). The applicant proposes to determine up and downstream migrations, habitat use, spawning periodicity, and seasonal movements of shortnose sturgeon in the Connecticut River (from Agawam, MA to Montague, MA). The applicant also proposes short-term captive animal research of wild origin shortnose sturgeon in laboratory tests of up- and downstream fish passage studies, swimming performance tests, tagging studies, anesthesiology, behavior, physiology, and contaminant studies. Furthermore, the applicant requests authorization for collecting fertilized embryo from the Merrimack River (MA), Kennebec River, and Androscoggin River (ME), to produce non-releasable progeny for larval research in the laboratory. The permit would be valid for five years upon issuance.