[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 13 (Friday, January 19, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5510-5511]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-1379]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 092500B]
Coral, Golden Crab, Shrimp, Spiny Lobster, Red Drum, Coastal
Migratory Pelagic Resources, and Snapper-Grouper Fisheries of the South
Atlantic
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Issuance of an exempted fishing permit.
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SUMMARY: NMFS announces the issuance of an exempted fishing permit
(EFP) for the North Carolina Aquariums (applicant), headquartered in
Raleigh, NC. The EFP authorizes the applicant, with certain conditions,
to collect for public display up to 60 red porgy and up to 500 lb (227
kg) of coral/live rock in Federal waters off North Carolina each year
for 2 years. The three North Carolina Aquariums are located at Roanoke
Island, Pine Knoll Shores, and Kure Beach, North Carolina. This EFP is
similar to a previously approved EFP for North Carolina Aquariums that
expired earlier this year.
DATES: The newly issued EFP is effective January 12, 2001, through
December 31, 2002.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the EFP are available from Peter Eldridge,
Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 9721 Executive Center Drive N., St.
Petersburg, FL 33702.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Eldridge, 727-570-5305; fax 727-
570-5583; e-mail: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The EFP is issued 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 EFP authorizes the applicant, with certain conditions, to
collect for public display up to 60 red porgy and up to 500 lb (227 kg)
of coral/live rock in Federal waters off North Carolina each year for 2
years.
The North Carolina Aquariums (NCA), with aquariums located at
Roanoke Island, Pine Knoll Shores, and Kure Beach, is a public, non-
profit, self-supporting institution established to promote an
awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the diverse natural and
cultural resources associated with North Carolina's ocean, estuaries,
rivers,
[[Page 5511]]
streams, and other aquatic environments. The several aquariums are
major educational and conservation institutions with extensive field
study and outreach programs. The specimens will be maintained in the
various NCA facilities for public display.
The proposed collection involves activities otherwise prohibited by
Federal regulations implementing the Fishery Management Plans for
Coral, Coral Reefs, and Live/Hard Bottom Habitats, and the Fishery
Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fisheries of the South Atlantic
Region. The applicant requests authorization in order to harvest and
possess corals, live rock, and red porgy taken from Federal waters off
North Carolina.
The EFP has a number of conditions concerning the harvest of
prohibited species and corals, the gear that can be employed, and
bycatch restrictions. The EFP requires an annual report to NMFS that
lists taken specimens.
A notice of receipt of the application for this permit was
published in the Federal Register on October 2, 2000 (65 FR 58745). In
addition to announcing the receipt of the application, public comments
were requested. No public comments were received. Also, consistent with
the requirements of 50 CFR 600-745(b)(3)(1), NMFS provided copies of
the EFP application to the State of North Carolina, the South Atlantic
Fishery Management Council, and the U.S. Coast Guard along with
information on the EFP's effects on target species. All of the
consulted entities supported the issuance of the EFP.
Failure of the permittee to comply with the terms and conditions of
the EFP may be grounds for revocation, suspension or modification of
this permit, as well as civil or criminal sanctions.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: January 10, 2001.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 01-1379 Filed 1-18-01; 8:45 am]
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