[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 156 (Friday, August 12, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50181-50182]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-20611]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA505


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; 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 the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and 
Fisheries (LDWF). If granted, the EFP would authorize the applicant to 
collect and retain limited numbers of specimens that would otherwise be 
prohibited from possession and retention. This study, to be conducted 
in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) off 
Louisiana, is intended to more closely monitor populations of red 
snapper and other reef fish to ensure public health and seafood quality 
are maintained.

DATES: Comments must be received no later than 5 p.m., eastern time, on 
September 12, 2011.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the application by any of the 
following methods:
     E-mail: [email protected]. Include in the subject 
line of the e-mail comment the following document identifier: ``LDWF--
EFP''.
     Mail: Steve Branstetter, 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: Steve Branstetter, 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.
    The described research is part of a new monitoring program by LDWF. 
The research is intended to involve recreational fishermen in the 
collection of fundamental biological information of Gulf reef fish. The 
proposed collection for scientific research involves activities that 
could otherwise be prohibited by regulations at 50 CFR part 622, as 
they pertain to reef fish managed by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery 
Management Council (Council). The applicant requires authorization 
through the EFP to collect these Council-managed species that may be 
taken as part of the normal fishing activities of the recreational for-
hire sector of the Gulf reef fish fishery. LDWF would enlist the 
Louisiana Charter Boat Association, a for-hire recreational fishing 
body that is recognized by the department and the state legislature to 
assist with a focused watch for red snapper and other Gulf reef fish 
species exhibiting biological abnormalities, such as skin lesions or 
infections. LDWF Office of Fisheries personnel and university 
researchers would train participating charter boat operators to 
recognize abnormalities in reef fish and to use scientifically accepted 
technical procedures to process affected fish for laboratory analysis. 
The charter boat captain would attach an identification tag to each 
specimen, record the fishing location using Global Positioning System 
coordinates, and then contact the LDWF via an emergency call-in number. 
LDWF field personnel would assist in transferring these samples to 
shore facilities for transport to a pathology laboratory at Louisiana 
State University for analysis.
    The goal of the research is to more closely monitor populations of 
red snapper and other reef fish taken from state and Federal waters off 
Louisiana to ensure public health and seafood quality are maintained. 
The EFP, if approved, would authorize the take of as many as 100 
Federally-managed red snapper or other Gulf reef fish through August 
31, 2012. Such fish, collected as biological samples, would be exempted 
from the recreational bag limit for the particular species, and not 
subject to size limits or seasonal closures.

[[Page 50182]]

    NMFS finds this application warrants further consideration. 
Possible conditions the agency may impose on this permit, if it is 
indeed granted, include but are not limited to, a prohibition of 
conducting research within marine protected areas, marine sanctuaries, 
or special management zones, without additional authorization. 
Additionally, NMFS would prohibit the possession of Nassau or goliath 
grouper. A report on the research would be due at the end of the 
collection period, to be submitted to NMFS and reviewed by the 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 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: August 8, 2011.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-20611 Filed 8-11-11; 8:45 am]
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