[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 54 (Friday, March 20, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 13638]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-7347]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 030498C]


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; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces the receipt of four 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.

DATES: Written comments on the applications must be received on or 
before April 6, 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: 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.
    South Carolina Aquarium, in Charleston, SC, intends to collect no 
more than 12 sharks from the large coastal and/or prohibited species 
management units for public display by using buoy gear, rod and reel, 
and longlines of approximately 35-40 hooks. Fishing will occur in the 
Atlantic Ocean from North Carolina south to the the middle Florida 
Keys. 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 that the EFP authorize 
collection of sharks from the small coastal and pelagic management 
units; however, as the commercial seasons for small coastal sharks or 
pelagic sharks have not closed to date, these species may be possessed 
legally by obtaining a Federal commercial shark permit and an EFP is 
not required.
    Ripley's Aquarium, in Myrtle Beach, SC, intends to collect 25 sand 
tiger sharks, 8 sandbar sharks, 8 blacktip sharks, 4 tiger sharks, 4 
scalloped hammerhead sharks, and 4 great hammerhead sharks for public 
display by using hook and line and longlines consisting of no more than 
30 hooks. Fishing will occur in the Atlantic Ocean off New Jersey, 
Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida. 
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 that the EFP authorize 
collection of 25 bonnethead sharks; however, as the commercial season 
for small coastal sharks has not closed to date, this species may be 
possessed legally by obtaining a Federal commercial shark permit and an 
EFP is not required.
    Florida Aquarium, in Tampa, FL, intends to collect three sand tiger 
sharks for public display by using authorized Florida recreational 
marine fishing gear. Fishing will occur in the Atlantic Ocean, 
including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea (Florida area). 
Issuance of an EFP is necessary, according to the applicant, because 
possession of sand tiger sharks is prohibited.
    Aquarium of the Americas, in New Orleans, LA, intends to collect 
eight sand tiger sharks for public display and research by using hook 
and line, longlines consisting of approximately 90 hooks, and/or single 
hook Block set-lines. Fishing will occur in the Atlantic Ocean off 
Cocodrie, LA, from April through May and off Delaware Bay from June 
through August. Issuance of an EFP is necessary, according to the 
applicant, 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: March 16, 1998 .
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-7347 Filed 3-19-98; 8:45 am]
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