Coral and Coral Reefs of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic

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NMFS announces the intention of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils (Councils) to prepare an SEIS for proposed Amendment 2 to the Fishery Management Plan for Coral and Coral Reefs of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic (FMP). The FMP was prepared by the Councils and approved and implemented by the Secretary of Commerce under provisions of the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson Act). The purpose of Amendment 2 is to manage the harvest of ``live rock,'' living marine organisms attached to a hard substrate, such as dead coral or rock, and used primarily in the marine aquarium trade. Management measures under consideration include a prohibition on, or phase-out of, harvest of live rock with possible provisions for aquaculture; establishment of an annual quota or limited access management program; and implementation of a permitting system for wild harvest or aquaculture. The Councils intend to conduct a continuing public process to determine the scope of issues to be addressed and to identify the significant issues related to live rock management. The purpose of this notice is to inform the public of this ongoing process and of the