Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Atlantic Shark Fisheries; Exempted Fishing Permits (EFPs)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 030498C]

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; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces the receipt of four 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.

DATES: Written comments on the applications must be received on or

before April 6, 1998. Applications for EFPs must be received on or

before April 29, 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.

South Carolina Aquarium, in Charleston, SC, intends to collect no

more than 12 sharks from the large coastal and/or prohibited species

management units for public display by using buoy gear, rod and reel,

and longlines of approximately 35-40 hooks. Fishing will occur in the

Atlantic Ocean from North Carolina south to the the middle Florida

Keys. Issuance of an EFP is necessary, according to the applicant,

because the commercial season for large coastal sharks is closed for

long periods of time and because possession of sand tiger sharks is

prohibited. The applicant also requested that the EFP authorize

collection of sharks from the small coastal and pelagic management

units; however, as the commercial seasons for small coastal sharks or

pelagic sharks have not closed to date, these species may be possessed

legally by obtaining a Federal commercial shark permit and an EFP is

not required.

Ripley's Aquarium, in Myrtle Beach, SC, intends to collect 25 sand

tiger sharks, 8 sandbar sharks, 8 blacktip sharks, 4 tiger sharks, 4

scalloped hammerhead sharks, and 4 great hammerhead sharks for public

display by using hook and line and longlines consisting of no more than

30 hooks. Fishing will occur in the Atlantic Ocean off New Jersey,

Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida.

Issuance of an EFP is necessary, according to the applicant, because

the commercial season for large coastal sharks is closed for long

periods of time and because possession of sand tiger sharks is

prohibited. The applicant also requested that the EFP authorize

collection of 25 bonnethead sharks; 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.

Florida Aquarium, in Tampa, FL, intends to collect three sand tiger

sharks for public display by using authorized Florida recreational

marine fishing gear. Fishing will occur in the Atlantic Ocean,

including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea (Florida area).

Issuance of an EFP is necessary, according to the applicant, because

possession of sand tiger sharks is prohibited.

Aquarium of the Americas, in New Orleans, LA, intends to collect

eight sand tiger sharks for public display and research by using hook

and line, longlines consisting of approximately 90 hooks, and/or single

hook Block set-lines. Fishing will occur in the Atlantic Ocean off

Cocodrie, LA, from April through May and off Delaware Bay from June

through August. Issuance of an EFP is necessary, according to the

applicant, because 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 and on NMFS'

review of public comments received on the applications, conclusions of

any environmental analyses conducted pursuant to the National

Environmental Policy Act, and any consultations with any appropriate

Regional Fishery Management Councils, states, or Federal agencies.

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

Dated: March 16, 1998 .

Bruce C. Morehead,

Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine

Fisheries Service.

[FR Doc. 98-7347 Filed 3-19-98; 8:45 am]

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