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

摘要

NMFS issues this final rule to implement Amendment 2 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Coral and Coral Reefs of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic. Amendment 2: Prohibits the taking of wild live rock in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off the southern Atlantic states (South Atlantic) from the North Carolina/Virginia boundary to the Dade/Broward County line in Florida and in the EEZ of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf), except off Florida north of Monroe County; phases out wild live rock harvests in the South Atlantic EEZ south of the Dade/Broward County line by 1996; phases out wild live rock harvests in the Gulf EEZ off Florida north of Monroe County by 1997; establishes restrictions on live rock harvesting and possession and requires permits and reporting during the phase-out periods; and allows and facilitates live rock aquaculture. In addition, NMFS amends the regulations to correct and conform them to current standards, informs the public of the approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of new collection-of-information requirements contained in this rule, and publishes the OMB control number for those collections.