[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 133 (Tuesday, July 13, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39917-39918]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-17058]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XW97


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Coral and Coral Reefs off the Southern Atlantic States; 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. Don DeMaria. If granted, the EFP would 
authorize Mr. DeMaria to collect and retain, with certain conditions, 
limited numbers of gorgonian corals from Federal waters, off the coast 
of North Carolina. The specimens would be used to support research 
efforts towards a grant awarded to the National Cancer Institute to 
screen marine invertebrates for possible anti-cancer compounds.

DATES:  Comments must be received no later than 5 p.m., eastern time, 
on July 28, 2010.

ADDRESSES:  You may submit comments on the application by any of the 
following methods:
     E-mail: [email protected]. Include the following 
document identifier in the subject line of the e-mail comment: 
``DonDeMaria--EFP''.
     Mail: Nikhil Mehta, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 263 
13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
     Fax: 727-824-5308.
    The application and related documents are available for review upon 
written request to any of the above addresses.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Nikhil Mehta, 727-824-5305; 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.
    This action involves activities covered by regulations implementing 
the Fishery Management Plan for Coral, Coral Reefs, and Live/Hardbottom 
Habitat of the South Atlantic Region. The applicant has requested 
authorization to collect a maximum of 11 lb (5 kg) of gorgonian corals 
belonging to the Genus Thesea. Specimens would be collected in Federal 
waters off the coast of North Carolina. The project proposes to use 
SCUBA gear to make the collections. Samples would be collected over a 
period of 2 months, commencing on the date of issuance of the EFP.
    The overall intent of the project is to support research efforts to 
screen marine invertebrates for possible anti-cancer compounds. The 
research is part of a contract (No. HHSN261200900012C) between the 
National Cancer Institute (http://

[[Page 39918]]

www.cancer.gov/), and the Coral Reef Research Foundation (CRRF, http://www.coralreefresearchfoundation.org/). Samples would be collected by 
Mr. DeMaria, who is a sub-contractor for CRRF.
    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. A report on the project findings would be due at the end 
of the collection period, 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' review 
of public comments received on the application, consultations with the 
affected state, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 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 8, 2010.
Carrie Selberg,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-17058 Filed 7-12-10; 8:45 am]
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