Federal Register #29887

Incidental Take Permit Awarded for Sea Turtle Conservation During Gill Net Surveys

This award recognizes the issuance of an Incidental Take Permit to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) for sea turtle conservation during gill net surveys in Texas bays and estuaries. - Government Buyer: - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce - Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) - Award Details: - Incidental Take Permit (ITP) No. 29887 issued to TPWD - Authorizes incidental take of ESA-listed sea turtles during fisheries-independent gill net surveys - Species Covered: - Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) - Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) - Green (Chelonia mydas) - Loggerhead (Caretta caretta) - Conservation Plan Requirements: - Seasonal constraints and grid-based protections - Net configuration adjustments to reduce risk - Rescue protocols for live turtles - Continuous net repair and maintenance - Monitoring, mitigation, and reporting obligations - Adequate funding for conservation activities - Permit Duration: - Valid for 10 years - Green sea turtle take managed on a 3-year rolling basis - No OEMs or commercial vendors are involved; this is a regulatory award for conservation services, not a procurement of goods or commercial services.

Description

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has been issued an incidental take permit (ITP) for the incidental take of Endangered Species Act (ESA) listed sea turtles associated with lawful fisheries-independent gill net survey activities within Texas bays and estuaries. The permit authorizes incidental take of several sea turtle species including Kemp's ridley, hawksbill, green, and loggerhead sea turtles over a 10-year period. TPWD's Conservation Plan includes measures to monitor, minimize, and mitigate impacts on sea turtles, such as seasonal constraints, grid-based protections, net configuration adjustments, and rescue protocols. The permit is effective from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2036.

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