95-31337. Coral and Coral Reefs Off the Southern Atlantic States; Amendment 3  

  • [Federal Register Volume 60, Number 248 (Wednesday, December 27, 1995)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 66926-66928]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 95-31337]
    
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
    
    National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
    
    50 CFR Part 638
    
    [Docket No. 950929242-5302-02; I.D. 091295A]
    RIN 0648-AH74
    
    
    Coral and Coral Reefs Off the Southern Atlantic States; Amendment 
    3
    
    AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
    Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: NMFS issues this final rule to implement Amendment 3 to the 
    Fishery Management Plan for Coral and Coral Reefs off the Southern 
    Atlantic States (FMP). Amendment 3: Establishes an aquacultured live 
    rock permit system applicable to the exclusive economic zone off the 
    southern Atlantic states; prohibits chipping of aquacultured live rock; 
    prohibits octocoral harvest north of Cape Canaveral, FL; and prohibits 
    anchoring of fishing vessels in the Oculina Bank habitat area of 
    particular concern. In addition, NMFS amends the regulations to correct 
    and clarify certain regulations, or conform them to current standards. 
    The intended effect is to establish a management program for live rock 
    aquaculture and to protect fishery habitat.
    
    EFFECTIVE DATE: January 26, 1996.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Georgia Cranmore, 813-570-5305.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FMP was prepared by the South Atlantic 
    Fishery Management Council (Council) and is implemented through 
    regulations at 50 CFR part 638 under the authority of the Magnuson 
    Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson Act). With 
    implementation of Amendment 3, the title of the FMP is changed to the 
    Fishery Management Plan for Coral, Coral Reefs, and Live/Hard Bottom 
    Habitats of the South Atlantic Region. This title change reflects the 
    Council's intent to manage and protect essential live/hard bottom 
    habitats as well as coral resources.
        Detailed descriptions and rationale for the measures in Amendment 3 
    and for additional changes proposed by NMFS were included in the 
    preamble to the proposed rule (60 FR 53730, October 17, 1995) and are 
    not repeated here.
    
    Comments and Responses
    
        During the public comment period ending November 27, 1995, comments 
    were received from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the 
    Center for Marine Conservation (CMC). USFWS and CMC commended the 
    Council for its record on coral reef protection and its recognition of 
    the importance of live rock to the marine ecosystem. USFWS supported 
    the coral conservation and habitat protection measures of Amendment 3.
        Comment: CMC fully supports Amendment 3, because it is expected to 
    minimize enforcement problems, protect important live bottom 
    communities, and minimize further damage to the Oculina Bank area. CMC 
    also urges NMFS not to delay implementation of the aquaculture permit 
    system.
        Response: Since a very similar permit system is already in place 
    for live rock aquaculture in the Gulf of Mexico, NMFS expects no delays 
    in implementing the aquaculture permit provisions of Amendment 3, 
    including the special provisions for proposed sites off the southern 
    Atlantic states.
    
    Changes From the Proposed Rule
    
        In Sec. 638.2, the note added to the definition of ``Allowable 
    octocoral'' to clarify the distinction between allowable octocoral and 
    live rock is removed. Since publication of the proposed rule, a 
    clarifying note was added to 50 CFR part 638 via the final rule 
    implementing Amendment 3 to the Fishery Management Plan for Coral and 
    Coral Reefs of the Gulf of Mexico (60 FR 56533, November 9, 1995); 
    therefore, the note is unnecessary.
    
    Approval of Amendment 3
    
        On December 15, 1995, the Director, Southeast Region, NMFS 
    (Regional Director), approved Amendment 3.
    
    [[Page 66927]]
    
    
    Classification
    
        The Regional Director determined that Amendment 3 is necessary for 
    the conservation and management of the coral and coral reef resources 
    and live/hard bottom habitats off the southern Atlantic states and that 
    it is consistent with the Magnuson Act and other applicable law.
        This action has been determined to be not significant for purposes 
    of E.O. 12866.
        The Assistant General Counsel for Legislation and Regulation of the 
    Department of Commerce certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of 
    the Small Business Administration when the proposed rule was published 
    that it would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
    number of small entities. The reasons for this certification were 
    published in the preamble to the proposed rule (60 FR 53731, October 
    17, 1995) and are not repeated here. As a result, a regulatory 
    flexibility analysis was not prepared.
    
    List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 638
    
        Fisheries, Fishing, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
    
        Dated: December 20, 1995.
    Nancy Foster,
    Acting Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
    Service.
        For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 638 is amended 
    as follows:
    
    PART 638--CORAL AND CORAL REEFS OF THE GULF OF MEXICO AND OFF THE 
    SOUTHERN ATLANTIC STATES
    
        1. The authority citation for part 638 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    
        2. The title of part 638 is revised to read as set forth above.
    
    
    Sec. 638.1  [Amended]
    
        3. In Sec. 638.1, in paragraph (a), the phrase ``Fishery Management 
    Plan for Coral and Coral Reefs off the Southern Atlantic States'' is 
    removed and ``Fishery Management Plan for Coral, Coral Reefs, and Live/
    Hard Bottom Habitats of the South Atlantic Region'' is added in its 
    place.
        4. In Sec. 638.4, the last sentence in paragraph (a)(1)(v) is 
    revised to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 638.4  Permits and fees.
    
        (a) * * *
        (1) * * *
        (v) * * * A person who has been issued an aquacultured live rock 
    permit is exempt from the requirement to obtain a permit for prohibited 
    coral that is attached to aquacultured live rock.
    * * * * *
        5. In Sec. 638.7, in paragraph (k), the reference to ``(c)'' is 
    removed and ``(c)(1)'' is added in its place; in paragraph (q), the 
    reference to ``Sec. 635.26(c)'' is removed and ``Sec. 638.26(c)'' is 
    added in its place; and paragraphs (x), (y), and (z) are added to read 
    as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 638.7  Prohibitions.
    
    * * * * *
        (x) Harvest allowable octocoral in the EEZ off the southern 
    Atlantic states, north of Cape Canaveral, FL (28 deg.35.1' N. lat.--due 
    east of the NASA Vehicle Assembly Building) or possess allowable 
    octocoral in or from that area, as specified in Sec. 638.21(b).
        (y) Anchor a fishing vessel, or use an anchor and chain or grapple 
    and chain on board a fishing vessel, in the Oculina Bank HAPC, as 
    specified in Sec. 638.23(c)(2).
        (z) Harvest aquacultured live rock by chipping in the EEZ off the 
    southern Atlantic states; possess chipped aquacultured live rock in or 
    from that area; remove allowable octocoral or prohibited coral from 
    aquacultured live rock; or, while in possession of aquacultured live 
    rock, possess prohibited coral not attached to aquacultured live rock 
    or allowable octocoral, as specified in Sec. 638.27(c).
        6. Section 638.21 is revised to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 638.21  Harvest limitations.
    
        (a) Incidental harvest. Except as authorized by a Federal permit or 
    a Florida permit as specified in Sec. 638.4, prohibited coral, 
    allowable octocoral, and live rock taken as incidental catch must be 
    returned immediately to the sea in the general area of fishing. In 
    fisheries where the entire catch is landed unsorted, such as the 
    scallop and groundfish fisheries, unsorted prohibited coral, allowable 
    octocoral, and live rock are exempt from the requirement for a Federal 
    permit and may be landed; however, no person may sell, trade, or barter 
    or attempt to sell, trade, or barter such prohibited coral, allowable 
    octocoral, or live rock.
        (b) Allowable octocoral harvest. Harvest of allowable octocoral in 
    the EEZ off the southern Atlantic states, north of Cape Canaveral, FL 
    (28 deg.35.1' N. lat.--due east of the NASA Vehicle Assembly Building) 
    or possession of allowable octocoral in or from that area is 
    prohibited. See the note included in the definition of ``Allowable 
    octocoral'' for clarification of the distinction between allowable 
    octocoral and live rock.
        7. In Sec. 638.23, in paragraphs (a)(1) and (b)(1), the references 
    to ``Sec. 634.4'' are removed and ``Sec. 638.4'' is added in both 
    places; and paragraph (c) is revised to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 638.23  Habitat areas of particular concern.
    
    * * * * *
        (c) Oculina Bank. The Oculina Bank is located approximately 15 
    nautical miles east of Fort Pierce, FL, at its nearest point to shore, 
    and is bounded on the north by 27 deg.53' N. lat., on the south by 
    27 deg.30' N. lat., on the east by 79 deg.56' W. long., and on the west 
    by 80 deg.00' W. long. The following restrictions apply in the HAPC:
        (1) Fishing with bottom longlines, traps, pots, dredges, or bottom 
    trawls is prohibited. See Sec. 646.26(d) of this chapter for 
    prohibitions on fishing for snapper-grouper in the Oculina Bank HAPC.
        (2) Anchoring of fishing vessels, or using an anchor and chain or 
    grapple and chain on board a fishing vessel, is prohibited.
        8. In Sec. 638.27, in the first sentence of paragraph (a), the 
    phrase ``from the Gulf of Mexico EEZ'' is removed; paragraph (b)(2) is 
    revised; and two sentences are added at the end of paragraph (c) to 
    read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 638.27  Aquacultured live rock.
    
    * * * * *
        (b)* * *
        (2) Material deposited on the aquaculture site--
        (i) May not be placed over naturally occurring reef outcrops, 
    limestone ledges, coral reefs, or vegetated areas;
        (ii) Must be free of contaminants;
        (iii) Must be nontoxic;
        (iv) Must be placed on the site by hand or lowered completely to 
    the bottom under restraint, that is, not allowed to fall freely;
        (v) Must be placed from a vessel that is anchored;
        (vi) In the Gulf of Mexico EEZ, must be distinguishable, 
    geologically or otherwise (for example, be indelibly marked or tagged), 
    from the naturally occurring substrate; and
        (vii) In the EEZ off the southern Atlantic states must be 
    geologically distinguishable from the naturally occurring substrate 
    and, in addition, may be indelibly marked or tagged.
    * * * * *
        (c) * * * In addition, the following activities are prohibited off 
    the southern Atlantic states: Chipping of aquacultured live rock in the 
    EEZ; possession of chipped aquacultured live 
    
    [[Page 66928]]
    rock in or from the EEZ; removal of allowable octocoral or prohibited 
    coral from aquacultured live rock in or from the EEZ; and possession of 
    prohibited coral not attached to aquacultured live rock or allowable 
    octocoral, while aquacultured live rock is in possession. See the note 
    included in the definition of ``Allowable octocoral'' for clarification 
    of the distinction between allowable octocoral and live rock.
    * * * * *
    [FR Doc. 95-31337 Filed 12-26-95; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
1/26/1996
Published:
12/27/1995
Department:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
95-31337
Dates:
January 26, 1996.
Pages:
66926-66928 (3 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 950929242-5302-02, I.D. 091295A
RINs:
0648-AH74: Amendment 3 to the Fishery Management Plan for Corals and Coral Reefs of the Southern Atlantic States
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/0648-AH74/amendment-3-to-the-fishery-management-plan-for-corals-and-coral-reefs-of-the-southern-atlantic-state
PDF File:
95-31337.pdf
CFR: (6)
50 CFR 638.1
50 CFR 638.4
50 CFR 638.7
50 CFR 638.21
50 CFR 638.23
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