[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 225 (Thursday, November 21, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70216-70217]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-29684]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 110802B]


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Coral, Golden Crab, Shrimp, Spiny Lobster, Red Drum, Coastal Migratory 
Pelagic Resources, and 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. Steve Vogel III, Curator, South Carolina 
Aquarium on behalf of the South Carolina Aquarium (applicant), 
Charleston, South Carolina. If granted, the EFP would authorize the 
applicant, with certain conditions, to collect an average of 25 
specimens each of numerous species of marine invertebrates and marine 
fish from Federal waters off South Carolina for public display. This 
EFP would replace a former EFP which expires on December 31, 2002.

DATES: Comments must be received no later than 5 p.m., eastern standard 
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 South Carolina Aquarium (SCA), 
located in

[[Page 70217]]

Charleston, is a public, non-profit, self-supporting institution 
devoted to the understanding and conservation of South Carolina's 
natural aquatic habitats and is a major educational and conservation 
institution with free admission to school children in groups, and 
extensive field study and outreach programs. The specimens will be 
maintained in the SCA for public display.
    The applicant intends, over a period of 2 years, to collect for 
public display an average of 25 specimens each of 76 species of marine 
invertebrates and 221 species of marine fish from Federal waters off 
South Carolina, using a variety of fishing gears and the fish 
anesthetic, quinaldine.
    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, Golden 
Crab, Shrimp, Spiny Lobster, Red Drum, Coastal Migratory Pelagics, 
Calico Scallop, and Snapper-Grouper Fisheries of the South Atlantic 
Region (FMPs). The applicant requires authorization to harvest and 
possess corals, live rock, golden crab, rock shrimp, red drum, 
wreckfish, Nassau grouper, warsaw grouper, and jewfish taken from 
Federal waters off South Carolina. In addition, authorization is 
required to use quinaldine in a coral area and to possess spiny 
lobster, bluefish, cobia, king and Spanish mackerel, groupers and 
snappers, greater amberjack, hogfish and red porgy below the minimum 
size limit, in excess of established bag limits, or taken with 
prohibited gear.
    The applicant also intends to collect a large number of species 
that are either not subject to Federal fishery management in the South 
Atlantic Region or are included under a fishery management plan that 
contains no management measures restricting possession or harvest. The 
applicant was referred to the Highly Migratory Species Division for 
authorization to collect highly migratory species such as sharks and 
tunas for public display.
    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 South 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. 02-29684 Filed 11-20-02; 8:45 am]
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