[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 57 (Tuesday, March 25, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Page 16301]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-06527]



[[Page 16301]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD138


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Snapper-Grouper Fishery off the Southern Atlantic States, Dolphin and 
Wahoo Fishery Off the 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 Michael Fatzinger, on behalf of the North 
Carolina Aquariums at Roanoke Island, Pine Knoll Shores, Fort Fisher, 
and Jennette's Pier, NC. If granted, the EFP would authorize North 
Carolina Aquariums to collect, with certain conditions, various species 
of reef fish, dolphin, and live rock in Federal waters, along the North 
Carolina coast. The specimens would be used in educational exhibits 
displaying North Carolina native species at the aquariums.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before April 24, 2014.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by ``NOAA-NMFS-2014-
0022'', by any of the following methods:
     Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to 
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2014-0022, click the 
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or 
attach your comments.
     Mail: Submit written comments to Mary Vara, Southeast 
Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
    Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, 
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the 
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily 
by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous 
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain 
anonymous). Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in 
Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF file formats only.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Vara, 727-824-5305; email 
[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 Plans (FMP) for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of 
the South Atlantic Region, the Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery of the 
Atlantic Region, and the FMP for Coral, Coral Reefs and Live/Hardbottom 
Habitat of the South Atlantic Region. The applicant requests 
authorization to collect a variety of species in the snapper-grouper 
complex, dolphin, and live rock. Specific species and quantities of 
each species, listed by common name, to be collected each year of a 5-
year period include a maximum of 16 red hind, 16 rock hind, 16 graysby, 
24 red porgy, 24 black sea bass, 16 coney, 16 scamp, 24 dolphin, 3 
snowy grouper, 16 red grouper, 16 gag grouper, 9 yellowedge grouper, 9 
yellowfin grouper, 16 yellowmouth grouper, 36 vermilion snapper, 20 red 
snapper, 36 yellowtail snapper, 24 amberjack (lesser and greater), 24 
almaco jack, 100 bar jack, and 50 lb (22.7 kg) of live rock.
    The applicant requested authorization to collect a limited number 
of goliath grouper; however, if issued, this EFP would not authorize 
the collection of goliath grouper. 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. along the coast of 
North Carolina. The EFP would authorize sampling operations to be 
conducted on vessels to be named by the North Carolina Aquarium and 
designated in the EFP. The project proposes to use hook-and-line gear, 
no more than 5 black sea bass pots and 10 minnow traps to collect fish, 
and SCUBA to collect live rock by hand. Most collections would be 
conducted year-round for a period of 5 years, commencing on the date of 
issuance of the EFP. Black sea bass pots and minnow traps would be 
deployed from the months of May through October each year of the EFP.
    The intent of the request is to incorporate North Carolina native 
species into the educational exhibits at four aquariums located on Pine 
Knoll Shores, Roanoke Island, Fort Fisher, and Jennette's Pier, NC. 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 will 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. To acquire live rock for the 
aquariums, the applicant has the option to either purchase aquacultured 
live rock from a commercial source, or if the EFP is issued, they may 
collect up to 50 lb (22.7 kg) of live rock from the Federal waters off 
North Carolina, but immediately replace it with an equal weight of 
substrate suitable to support the culture of live rock. 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, and a determination that it is consistent with all 
applicable laws.

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

    Dated: March 20, 2014.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-06527 Filed 3-24-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P