[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 100 (Tuesday, May 24, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 30110]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-12767]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA432


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 the applicant, with certain conditions, to collect and retain 
limited numbers of gorgonian corals from the exclusive economic zone 
(EEZ), off Port Canaveral, FL, north to the North Carolina/Virginia 
border. 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 
June 23, 2011.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the application by either of the 
following methods:
     E-mail: [email protected]. Include in the subject line 
of the e-mail comment the following document identifier: ``DonDeMaria--
EFP 2011''.
     Mail: Nikhil Mehta, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 263 
13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
    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; 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 per year. Specimens would be collected in 
Federal waters off Port Canaveral, FL, north to the North Carolina/
Virginia border. The project proposes to use SCUBA gear to make the 
collections. Samples would be collected from July 1, 2011 to July 31, 
2014.
    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://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 is 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's 
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: May 19, 2011.
Margo Schulze-Haugen,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-12767 Filed 5-23-11; 8:45 am]
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