[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 207 (Wednesday, October 26, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66273-66274]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-27745]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA643


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 Keith Farmer, on behalf of the North Carolina 
Department of Environment and Natural Resources Aquariums Division 
(North Carolina Aquariums). If granted, the EFP would authorize North 
Carolina Aquariums to collect, with certain conditions, various species 
of reef fish and live rock in Federal waters off North Carolina. The 
specimens would be used in educational exhibits displaying North 
Carolina native species at aquariums located at Pine Knoll Shores, 
Roanoke Island, Fort Fisher, and Jeanette's Ocean Pier, NC.

DATES: Comments must be received no later than 5 p.m., eastern standard 
time, on November 25, 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: ``North 
Carolina Aquariums''.
     Mail: Karla Gore, 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: Karla Gore, 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 proposed species collection involves activities covered by 
regulations implementing the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the 
Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region and the FMP for 
Coral, Coral Reefs, and Live/Hard Bottom Habitats of the South Atlantic 
Region. The applicant requires authorization to opportunistically 
collect 878 live fish in the South Atlantic snapper-grouper complex, 
and a specified quantity of live rock. The fish, listed by common name 
(total number of fish), and amount of live rock to be harvested over a 
2-year period by North Carolina Aquariums includes: red hind (16), rock 
hind (16), red grouper (16), gag (16), scamp (16), red porgy (16), 
yellowfin grouper (9), yellowmouth grouper (16), snowy grouper (12), 
silk snapper (16), vermilion snapper (78), tomtate (200), smallmouth 
grunt (100), cottonwick (200), yellowedge grouper (9), graysby (16), 
coney (16), yellowtail snapper (84), schoolmaster snapper (26), and 300 
lb (136 kg) of live rock.
    Specimens would be collected in Federal waters from 3 miles (4.8 
km) offshore out to 100 fathoms (182 m), from 33[deg]10' N lat. to 
36[deg]30' N lat. off North Carolina. The project proposes to use hook-
and-line gear, black sea bass pots and minnow traps to collect fish, 
and SCUBA gear to collect live rock by hand. This EFP would authorize 
sampling operations to be conducted on three vessels to be named by 
North Carolina Aquariums and designated in the EFP. The specimens would 
be opportunistically collected year-round for a period of up to 2 
years, commencing on the date of issuance of the EFP. The EFP would not 
authorize the collection of species with an annual catch limit of zero 
(Red snapper, Warsaw grouper, and Speckled hind).
    The overall intent of the project is to incorporate North Carolina 
native species into the educational exhibits at the four aquariums 
located at Pine Knoll Shores, Roanoke Island, Fort Fisher, and 
Jeanette's Ocean Pier, North Carolina. The aquariums use these displays 
of native North Carolina habitats and species to teach the public about 
conservation of these resources.
    NMFS finds 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, a prohibition of conducting 
research within marine protected areas, marine sanctuaries, special 
management zones, or artificial reefs without additional authorization. 
Additionally, NMFS prohibits the possession of Nassau grouper, goliath 
grouper, red snapper, speckled hind or Warsaw grouper, and requires 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. The EFP would specify that any harvest of live rock would have 
to be replaced by an equivalent amount of new rock substrate, or be 
obtained from a commercial (aquaculture) source. A final decision on 
the 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, 
and a determination that it is consistent with all applicable laws.

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


[[Page 66274]]


    Dated: October 21, 2011.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-27745 Filed 10-25-11; 8:45 am]
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