[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 124 (Wednesday, June 29, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 37332]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-3396]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 062405C]


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Snapper-Grouper Fishery Off the Southern Atlantic States and Coral and 
Coral Reefs Fishery in 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 David R. Griffin on behalf of The North 
Carolina Aquariums. 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 live rock. Specimens would be collected from Federal waters 
off the coast of North Carolina during 2005 and 2006, and displayed at 
three North Carolina Aquarium facilities located on Roanoke Island, 
near Morehead City, and south of Wilmington, North Carolina.

DATES: Comments must be received no later than 5 p.m., eastern time, on 
July 14, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the application may be sent via fax to 727-824-
5308 or mailed to: Julie Weeder, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 263 
13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. Comments may be submitted 
by e-mail. The mailbox address for providing e-mail comments is 
[email protected]. Include in the subject line of the e-mail 
document the following text: Comment on North Carolina Aquariums EFP 
Application. The application and related documents are available for 
review upon written request to the address above or the e-mail address 
below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julie Weeder, 727-551-5753; fax 727-
824-5308; 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 are 
operated by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural 
Resources. Their mission is to inspire appreciation and conservation of 
North Carolina's aquatic environments through display of live animals 
found in the state.
    The proposed collection for public display involves activities 
otherwise prohibited by regulations implementing the Fishery Management 
Plans (FMP) for the Snapper-Grouper Fisheries of the South Atlantic 
Region and the Coral, Coral Reefs, and Live/Hard Bottom Habitats of the 
South Atlantic Region.
    The applicant requires authorization to harvest and possess up to 
50 red porgy and up to 500 lb (227 kg) of live rock. Collections would 
occur in Federal waters off the coast of North Carolina during 2005 and 
2006. Red porgy would be captured using hook-and-line, and SCUBA divers 
would collect live rock by hand at depths ranging from 40 ft (12 m) to 
130 ft (40 m).
    NMFS finds that this application warrants further consideration. 
Based on a preliminary review, NMFS intends to issue an EFP. Possible 
conditions the agency may impose on this permit, if it is indeed 
granted, include but are not limited to: Reduction in the number of 
fish and/or live rock to be collected; prohibition of harvest of live 
rock; restrictions on the size of fish to be collected; prohibition of 
the harvest of any fish with visible external tags; and specification 
of locations, dates, and/or seasons allowed for collection of red porgy 
and/or live rock. 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 the affected 
states, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, and the U.S. 
Coast Guard. The applicant requests a 12-month effective period for the 
EFP.

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

    Dated: June 24, 2005.
Alan D. Risenhoover
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E5-3396 Filed 6-28-05; 8:45 am]
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