[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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#abdbcedfced985cec7cfd9c2cfccceebc5c4caca85ccc4dd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="69190c1d0c1b470c050d1b000d0e0c2907060808470e061f">[email protected]</span></a>.

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]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S


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