# Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Atlantic Shark Fisheries; Exempted Fishing Permits (EFPs) > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A98-19877 ## Record - **Collection:** Federal Register - **Document type:** Notice - **Published:** July 24, 1998 - **Citation:** 63 FR 39813 ## Text DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 070698C] Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Atlantic Shark Fisheries; Exempted Fishing Permits (EFPs) AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Applications for EFPs; deadline for receipt of EFP applications; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS announces the receipt of two applications for EFPs. If granted, these EFPs would authorize, over a period of 1 year, collections for public display of a limited number of sharks from the large coastal and prohibited species groups from Federal waters in the Atlantic Ocean. NMFS also announces a new deadline for receipt of exempted fishing permit applications for the 1998 fishing year. DATES: Written comments on the applications must be received on or before August 10, 1998. Applications for EFPs must be received on or before September 22, 1998. ADDRESSES: Send comments to Rebecca Lent, Chief, Highly Migratory Species Management Division (F/SF1), NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. The applications and related documents and copies of the regulations under which exempted fishing permits are subject may also be requested from this address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Margo Schulze, 301-713-2347; fax: 301- 713-1917. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: These EFPs are 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 concerning scientific research activity, exempted fishing, and exempted educational activity. On January 29, 1998 (63 FR 4431), NMFS announced a 90-day deadline for receipt of EFP applications, which expired April 29, 1998. Because NMFS has been informed by members of industry that the announcement of this deadline was not widely distributed and because additional EFP applications have been received since that deadline, NMFS is announcing a second and final deadline for the receipt of EFP applications. The North Carolina Aquarium Division, on behalf of three North Carolina Aquariums located in Roanoke [[Page 39814]] Island, Pine Knoll Shores, and Fort Fisher, NC, intends to collect 18 dusky sharks (6 sharks per facility), 18 lemon sharks (6 sharks per facility), 18 sandbar sharks (6 sharks per facility), and 6 sand tiger sharks (2 sharks per facility) for public display and education by hook and line and trawl, fyke, or pound nets. Fishing will occur in the Atlantic Ocean off North Carolina and Florida. Issuance of an EFP is necessary because possession of sand tiger sharks is prohibited and because the commercial fishery for large coastal sharks is closed for extended periods. The applicant also requested that the EFP authorize collection of bonnethead sharks, managed under the small coastal shark management unit; however, as the commercial season for small coastal sharks has not closed to date, this species may be possessed legally by obtaining a Federal commercial shark permit, and an EFP is not required. The Atlantis Holding Corporation, in Holtsville, NY, intends to collect a maximum of 20 sand tiger sharks for public display and education by rod and reel. Fishing will occur in the Atlantic Ocean along the south shore of Long Island. Issuance of an EFP is necessary because the possession of sand tiger sharks is prohibited. The proposed collections for public display involve activities otherwise prohibited by regulations implementing the Fishery Management Plan for Sharks of the Atlantic Ocean. The applicants require authorization to fish for and to possess large coastal sharks outside the Federal commercial seasons and to fish for and to possess prohibited species. Based on a preliminary review, NMFS finds that these applications warrant further consideration. A final decision on issuance of EFPs will depend on the submission of all required information, NMFS' review of public comments received on the applications, conclusions of any environmental analyses conducted pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act, and on any consultations with any appropriate Regional Fishery Management Councils, states, or Federal agencies. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: July 17, 1998. Gary C. Matlock, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 98-19877 Filed 7-23-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A98-19877. Public record. Not legal advice.