[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 144 (Wednesday, July 29, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 37689]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-17923]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XP90


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 Mr. M. Scott Baker, Jr., on behalf of North 
Carolina Sea Grant in Wilmington, North Carolina. If granted, the EFP 
would authorize Mr. Baker to collect, with certain conditions, seven 
species of reef fish in Federal waters, off the coast of North 
Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. The specimens will be 
used to evaluate electronic monitoring as a tool to characterize 
fishing activities of the commercial snapper-grouper vertical hook-and-
line (bandit) fleet, and to help determine the age-size structure of 
discarded fish caught as bycatch in this fishery.

DATES: Comments must be received no later than 5 p.m., Eastern standard 
time, on August 28, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the application may be sent via fax to 727-824-
5308 or mailed to: Nikhil Mehta, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 263 
13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. Comments may also 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 M. Scott Baker, Jr. EFP 
Application. The application and related documents are available for 
review upon written request to the address above or the by request via 
the contact numbers listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nikhil Mehta, 727-824-5305; fax 727-
824-5308.

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.
    This action involves activities covered by regulations implementing 
the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the 
South Atlantic Region. The applicant requires authorization to collect 
a maximum of 300 sub-legal fish of each of the following species: red 
snapper, vermilion snapper, gag, red grouper, greater amberjack, black 
sea bass, and red porgy.
    Specimens would be collected in Federal waters off the coast of 
North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. The project 
proposes to use vertical hook-and-line (bandit) gear to make the 
collections. Samples would be collected year-round for a period of 2 
years, commencing on the date of issuance of the EFP.
    The overall intent of the project is to work cooperatively with 
fishermen to evaluate electronic video monitoring as a tool to 
characterize fishing activities of the commercial snapper-grouper 
vertical hook-and-line (bandit) fleet. Biological data would also be 
collected from the samples to characterize the age-size structure of 
the frequently encountered species discarded in this fishery.
    NMFS finds this application warrants further consideration. Based 
on a preliminary review, NMFS intends to issue the requested EFP, 
pending receipt of public comments, as per 50 CFR 600.745(b)(3)(i). 
Possible conditions the agency may impose on this permit, if it is 
indeed granted, include but are not limited to, a prohibition on 
conducting research within marine protected areas, marine sanctuaries, 
special management zones, or artificial reefs without additional 
authorization. Additionally, NMFS may prohibit the possession of Nassau 
or goliath grouper, and require any sea turtles taken incidentally 
during the course of fishing or scientific research activities to be 
handled with due care to prevent injury to live specimens, observed for 
activity, and returned to the water. Periodic updates on the project 
findings will be required every 6 months, to be submitted to NMFS and 
reviewed by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. A final 
decision on issuance of the EFP will depend on NMFS's review of public 
comments received on the application, consultations with the affected 
states, the Mid- and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils, and 
the U.S. Coast Guard, as well as a determination that it is consistent 
with all applicable laws.

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

    Dated: July 23, 2009.
James P. Burgess,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E9-17923 Filed 7-28-09; 8:45 am]
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