[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 225 (Thursday, November 21, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 70216]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-29681]



[[Page 70216]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 110802C]


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Coral, Coral Reefs, and Live/Hard Bottom Habitats and the Snapper-
Grouper Fisheries of the South Atlantic; Exempted Fishing Permit

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 North Carolina Aquariums (applicant), Raleigh, North Carolina. 
If granted, the EFP would authorize the applicant, with certain 
conditions, to collect up to 50 red porgy and up to 500 lb (227 kg) of 
coral/live rock each year for two 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. This EFP would replace the current EFP which expires on 
December 31, 2002.

DATES: Comments must be received no later than 5 p.m., eastern time, on 
December 23, 2002.

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 address listed here.

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 
scientific research activity, exempted fishing permits, and exempted 
educational activity.
    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, over a period of 2 years, to collect for 
public display up to 50 red porgy and up to 500 lb (227 kg) of coral/
live rock annually.
    The proposed collection for public display involves activities 
otherwise prohibited by regulations implementing the Fishery Management 
Plans for Coral, Coral Reefs, and Live/Hard Bottom Habitats and the 
Snapper-Grouper Fisheries of the South Atlantic Region (FMPs). The 
applicant requires authorization to harvest and possess corals, live 
rock, and red porgy 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: November 15, 2002.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 02-29681 Filed 11-20-02; 8:45 am]
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