[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 35 (Friday, February 21, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 8491]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-4140]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 110802C]


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: Issuance of an exempted fishing permit.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces the issuance of an exempted fishing permit 
(EFP) for the North Carolina Aquariums (applicant), headquartered in 
Raleigh, NC. The EFP would authorize the applicant, with certain 
conditions, to collect up to 50 red porgy and up to 500 lb (0.23 mt) of 
coral/live rock each year for 2 years in Federal waters off North 
Carolina for public display. This EFP is similar to a previously 
approved EFP that expired on December 31, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the EFP are available from Peter Eldridge, 
Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 9721 Executive Center Drive N., St. 
Petersburg, FL 33702.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The EFP is issued 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).
    The North Carolina Aquariums (NCA), is headquarted in Raleigh, NC. 
The EFP would authorize the applicant, with certain conditions, to 
collect up to 50 red porgy and up to 500 lb (0.23 mt) of coral/live 
rock each year for 2 years in Federal waters off North Carolina for 
public display.
    The 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 represent institutions of major educational and conservation 
value, offering free admission to school children in groups and 
extensive field study and outreach programs. The specimens will be 
maintained in the various NCA.
    The proposed collection involves activities otherwise prohibited by 
regulations implementing the Fishery Management Plans of the South 
Atlantic Region for Coral, Coral Reefs, and Live/Hard Bottom Habitats, 
and Snapper-Grouper Fisheries. The applicant requires authorization to 
harvest and possess corals, live rock, and red porgy taken from Federal 
waters off North Carolina.
    The EFP has a number of conditions concerning the harvest of 
prohibited species and corals, the gear that can be employed, and 
bycatch restrictions. The EFP requires an annual report that lists 
specimens that are taken.
    A notice of receipt of the application for this permit was 
published in the Federal Register on November 21, 2002 (67 FR 70216). 
In addition to announcing the receipt of the application, public 
comments were requested. No public comments were received. Also, 
consistent with the requirements of 50 CFR 600.745(b)(3)(i), NMFS 
provided copies of the EFP application and information to the State of 
North Carolina, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, and the 
U.S. Coast Guard along with information on the EFP's effects on target 
species. All of the consulted entities supported the issuance of the 
EFP.
    Failure of the permittee to comply with the terms and conditions of 
the EFP may be grounds for revocation, suspension or modification of 
this permit, as well as civil or criminal sanctions.

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

    Dated: February 13, 2003.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director,Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 03-4140 Filed 2-20-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S