[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 132 (Thursday, July 10, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37034-37035]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-18115]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 062597C]


Red Drum Fishery and Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of receipt of an application for an exempted fishing 
permit; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces the receipt of an application for an exempted 
fishing permit (EFP) from Mr. Joe Hendrix on behalf of SeaFish 
Mariculture, L.L.C., San Antonio, Texas (applicant). If granted, the 
EFP would authorize a feasibility study of net cage culture of finfish 
associated with offshore oil and gas platforms in the northern Gulf of 
Mexico.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before August 11, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the application must be mailed to the Southeast 
Regional Office, NMFS, 9721 Executive Center Drive N., St. Petersburg, 
FL 33702.
    The application and related documents are available for review upon 
written request to the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Georgia Cranmore, 813-570-5305.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The EFP is requested under the authority of 
the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 
1801 et seq.) and regulations at 50 CFR 600.745, concerning 
``Scientific research activity, exempted fishing permits, and exempted 
educational activity.''
    According to the applicant, the purpose of the proposed study is to 
determine whether it is feasible to grow commercial quantities of 
native fish species in the offshore environment of the Gulf of Mexico 
using aquaculture techniques. The applicant proposes to place hatchery-
raised juvenile fish in net cages attached to offshore platforms, feed 
them, allow them to grow for approximately 12 months, harvest them from 
the cages, land them in Texas, and sell them. No wild-caught fish will 
be involved in this study.
    The proposed study involves activities otherwise prohibited by 
regulations implementing the Fishery Management Plans for the Red Drum 
Fishery and the Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico (FMPs). The 
applicant requires authorization to harvest, possess, and sell red drum 
(Sciaenops ocellata), greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili), and red 
snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) taken from Federal waters of the Gulf of 
Mexico. In addition, authorization is required to possess or sell 
greater amberjack or red snapper below the minimum size limit, and to 
harvest or possess red snapper in excess of established trip limits 
and/or during a closed season.
    The applicant also intends to use dolphin (Coryphaena hippurus), 
Florida pompano (Trachinotus carolinus), and southern flounder 
(Paralichthys lethostigma) in offshore aquaculture operations. Florida 
pompano and southern flounder are not subject to Federal fishery 
management in the Gulf of Mexico. Dolphin are included under a Federal 
fishery management plan for coastal migratory pelagic resources, but no 
plan management measures restrict possession, harvest, or sale of 
dolphin in Federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
    The applicant is also applying to the Texas Parks and Wildlife 
Department for authorization to land and sell these species in Texas.
    The applicant proposes to place hatchery-raised juvenile fish 
(fingerlings) in 3 cages attached to oil and gas platforms operated by 
Shell Offshore Services, Inc., and located approximately 48 nautical 
miles (nm) south-southwest of Freeport, TX. The cages measure 76-129 
feet (23-39 m) in diameter and will contain a maximum fish biomass of 
852,000 lb (386,461 kg).

[[Page 37035]]

The site is about 40 nm offshore and the depth of the water at the site 
is 132 ft (40 m).
    The fish will be monitored and fed commercially available fish 
pellets by a crew of technicians living on the platforms. Observations 
will be made of resident fish and invertebrate populations in the 
vicinity of the cages to assess the impact of the project. 
Additionally, the applicant intends to monitor disease occurrences, 
water and substrate quality, and possible endangered species 
interactions. Details of the applicant's monitoring plans are available 
in the application and associated correspondence (See ADDRESSES).
    Based on a preliminary review, NMFS finds that this application 
warrants further consideration and intends to issue an EFP. A final 
decision on issuance of the EFP will depend on a NMFS review of public 
comments received on the application, conclusions of environmental 
analyses conducted pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act, 
and consultations with Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, 
the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council), and the U.S. 
Coast Guard.
    Public comments are specifically requested on: The scope of 
potential environmental impacts of the proposal on cultured species, 
such as genetic dilution, habitat alteration, or disease introductions; 
protected species interactions; sediment quality; and water quality, 
including possible accumulations of chemotherapeutants such as 
antibiotics. Enforcement of existing prohibitions on taking of red 
drum, greater amberjack, and red snapper may also be affected by the 
proposal. The EFP may contain conditions needed to mitigate potential 
impacts on the cultured species and the habitats of the northern Gulf 
of Mexico and measures to facilitate enforcement.
    The applicant requests a 26-month effective period for the EFP to 
accommodate two complete growout cycles (i.e., growouts from 
fingerlings to marketable products). Once preliminary results of the 
study are available, the applicant intends to ask the Council to amend 
the FMPs to accommodate longterm or permanent uses of red drum and reef 
fish in commercial offshore aquaculture operations.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: July 2, 1997.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-18115 Filed 7-9-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F