[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 191 (Monday, October 2, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58745-58746]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-25221]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 092500B]


Coral, Golden Crab, Shrimp, Spiny Lobster, Red Drum, Coastal 
Migratory Pelagic Resources, and Snapper-Grouper Fisheries of the South 
Atlantic

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. Chris Ivers, Project Manager, on behalf 
of the

[[Page 58746]]

North Carolina Aquariums (applicant), Raleigh, North Carolina. If 
granted, the EFP would authorize the applicant, with certain 
conditions, to collect up to 60 red porgy and up to 500 lb (227 kg) of 
coral/live rock each year for 2 years in Federal waters off North 
Carolina for public display. The three North Carolina Aquariums are 
located at Roanoke Island, Pine Knoll Shores, and Kure Beach, North 
Carolina.

DATES: Comments must be received no later than 5 p.m., eastern standard 
time, on November 1, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the application must be mailed to Peter 
Eldridge, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 9721 Executive Center Drive 
N., St. Petersburg, FL 33702. Comments also may be sent via fax to 727-
570-5583. Comments will not be accepted if submitted via e-mail or 
Internet. The application and related documents are available for 
review upon written request to the same address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Eldridge, 727-570-5305; fax 727-
570-5583; e-mail: [email protected].

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(b) concerning exempted 
fishing.
    According to the applicant, the North Carolina Aquariums (NCA), 
located at Roanoke Island, Pine Knoll Shores, and Kure Beach, are 
public, non-profit, self-supporting institutions established to promote 
an awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the diverse natural 
and cultural resources associated with North Carolina's ocean, 
estuaries, rivers, streams and other aquatic environments. The 
aquariums are major educational and conservation institutions with free 
admission to school children in groups and extensive field study and 
outreach programs. The specimens will be maintained in the NCA for 
public display.
    The applicant intends to collect for public display up to 60 red 
porgy during a 2-year period and up to 500 lb (227 kg) of coral/live 
rock annually during a 2-year period.
    The proposed collection for public display involves activities 
otherwise prohibited by regulations implementing the Fishery Management 
Plan (FMP) for Coral, Coral Reefs, and Live/Hard Bottom Habitats, and 
the FMP for the Snapper-Grouper Fisheries of the South Atlantic Region. 
The applicant requires authorization to harvest and possess corals, 
live rock, and red porgy taken from Federal waters off North Carolina.
    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 North Carolina, the South Atlantic Fishery 
Management Council, and the U.S. Coast Guard. The applicant requests a 
24-month effective period for the EFP.

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

    Dated: September 26, 2000.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 00-25221 Filed 9-29-00; 8:45 am]
Billing Code: 3510-22-S