Federal Register #2026-07745

NOAA Seeks Public Comment on Exempted Fishing Permit for American Red Snapper Aquaculture Research

NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is seeking public comment on an application from Cultimar Technologies, Inc. for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) to support aquaculture research: - Government Buyer: - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce - National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Southeast Regional Office - Vendor: - Cultimar Technologies, Inc. (only vendor mentioned) - Products/Services Requested: - Collection of 200 sexually mature American red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) from South Atlantic Federal waters off Florida - Transport of live fish to an aquaculture hatchery and research facility in Arecibo, Puerto Rico - Establishment of a genetically diverse broodstock population for research and scalable fingerling production - Unique/Notable Requirements: - Use of a chartered research vessel with specialized live wells and holding tanks - Exemptions requested from federal fishing regulations (e.g., vessel permits, area/seasonal closures, trip limits, annual catch limits) - Collected fish must remain at the research facility and cannot be sold or transferred - Emphasis on maintaining genetic diversity and animal health - Compliance with special reporting and species protection conditions as imposed by NOAA - No specific part numbers are provided; the focus is on live, sexually mature fish for research purposes - Place of Performance/Delivery: - Collection in South Atlantic Federal waters off Cape Canaveral, Florida - Delivery to aquaculture hatchery and research facility in Arecibo, Puerto Rico - Oversight by NMFS Southeast Regional Office, St. Petersburg, FL

Description

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces receipt of an application from Cultimar Technologies, Inc. for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) to collect 200 sexually mature American red snapper from federal waters off the Atlantic coast of Florida. The collected fish will be used to establish a genetically diverse broodstock population at a hatchery research facility in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. The project aims to study the species' biology and aquaculture potential and develop scalable fingerling production protocols to support the aquaculture industry. Public comments on the application are requested by May 21, 2026.

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