[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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