[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 19 (Thursday, January 29, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4431-4432]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-2255]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 010998C]


Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Atlantic Shark Fisheries; 
Exempted Fishing Permits (EFPs)

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

ACTION: Applications for EFPs; deadline for receipt of EFP 
applications; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces the receipt of three applications for EFPs. If 
granted, these EFPs would authorize, over a period of 1 year, 
collections for public display of a limited number of sharks from the 
large coastal and prohibited species groups from Federal waters in the 
Atlantic Ocean. NMFS also announces the deadline for receipt of 
exempted fishing permit applications for the 1998 fishing year.

DATES: Written comments on the applications must be received on or 
before February 13, 1998. Applications for EFPs must be received on or 
before April 29, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Rebecca Lent, Chief, Highly Migratory 
Species Management Division (F/SF1), NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, 
Silver Spring, MD 20910. The applications and related documents and 
copies of the regulations under which exempted fishing permits are 
subject may also be requested from this address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah McLaughlin or Margo Schulze, 
301-713-2347; fax: 301-713-1917.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: These EFPs are 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, and exempted 
educational activity.
    Dynasty Marine Associates, Inc., in Marathon, FL, intends to 
collect four nurse sharks, two lemon sharks, three sandbar sharks, and 
four sand tiger sharks for public display by using a single hook and 
line as well as a short longline not consisting of more than 50 hooks. 
Fishing will occur in the Florida Bay and in the Atlantic Ocean off the 
middle Florida Keys area, in New Jersey, and in Maryland. Issuance of 
an EFP is necessary, according to the applicant, because the commercial 
season for large coastal sharks is closed for long periods of time and 
because possession of sand tiger sharks is prohibited. The applicant 
also requested an EFP to collect one sawfish; however, as NMFS does not 
regulate sawfish at this time, no EFP is necessary to collect this 
species in Federal waters.
    Charles Jamison, in Summerland Key, FL, intends to collect an 
unspecified number of nurse and lemon sharks for schools and public 
display by using a short fishing line or cast net, or by hand in the 
Florida Keys. The applicant requested the issuance of an EFP to collect 
nurse and lemon sharks because the commercial season for large coastal 
sharks is closed for long periods of time. The applicant also requested 
an EFP to collect bonnethead sharks; however, as the commercial season 
for small coastal sharks has not closed to date, this species may be 
possessed legally by

[[Page 4432]]

obtaining a Federal commercial shark permit and an EFP is not required.
    Carolina Sharks, in Georgetown, SC, intends to collect an 
unspecified number of large coastal sharks, including bull, sandbar, 
blacktip, and nurse sharks, as well as an unspecified number of sand 
tiger sharks for public display. The applicant intends to collect 
specimens by using hand rod and reels, longlines no greater than 2.4 
kilometers, anchor hooks, and gillnets of unspecified length with 10-33 
centimeter stretch mesh. Fishing will occur from February through 
October in Federal waters off New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, 
Georgia, and Florida, as well as in the Chesapeake Bay. Issuance of an 
EFP is necessary, according to the applicant, because the commercial 
season for large coastal sharks is closed for long periods of time and 
because possession of sand tiger sharks is prohibited.
    The proposed collections for public display involve activities 
otherwise prohibited by regulations implementing the Fishery Management 
Plan for Sharks of the Atlantic Ocean. The applicants require 
authorization to fish for and to possess large coastal sharks outside 
the Federal commercial seasons and to fish for and to possess 
prohibited species.
    Based on a preliminary review, NMFS finds that these applications 
warrant further consideration. A final decision on issuance of EFPs 
will depend on the submission of all required information and on NMFS' 
review of public comments received on the applications, conclusions of 
any environmental analyses conducted pursuant to the National 
Environmental Policy Act, and any consultations with any appropriate 
Regional Fishery Management Councils, states, or Federal agencies.

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

    Dated: January 22, 1998.
Bruce Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-2255 Filed 1-28-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F