[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 7 (Friday, January 10, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1402-1403]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-610]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 622
[Docket No. 940553-4223; I.D. 010697B]
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic;
Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South
Atlantic; Closure
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce
ACTION: Closure.
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SUMMARY: NMFS closes the commercial run-around gillnet fishery for king
mackerel in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the Florida west coast
sub-zone. This closure is necessary to protect the overfished Gulf king
mackerel resource.
EFFECTIVE DATE: The closure is effective 12:00 noon, local time,
January 7, 1997, through June 30, 1997.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark F. Godcharles, 813-570-5305.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The fishery for coastal migratory pelagic
fish
[[Page 1403]]
(king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, cero, cobia, little tunny, dolphin,
and, in the Gulf of Mexico only, bluefish) is managed under the Fishery
Management Plan for the Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf
of Mexico and South Atlantic (FMP). The FMP was prepared by the Gulf of
Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils (Councils) and is
implemented by regulations at 50 CFR part 622 under the authority of
the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.
Based on the Councils' recommended total allowable catch and the
allocation ratios in the FMP, NMFS implemented a commercial quota for
the Gulf of Mexico migratory group of king mackerel in the Florida west
coast sub-zone of 865,000 lb (392,357 kg). That quota was further
divided into two equal quotas of 432,500 lb (196,179 kg) for vessels in
each of two groups by gear types--vessels fishing with run-around
gillnets and those using hook-and-line gear (50 CFR 622.42
(c)(1)(i)(A)(2)).
In accordance with 50 CFR 622.43(a)(3), NMFS is required to close
any segment of the king mackerel commercial fishery when its allocation
or quota is reached, or is projected to be reached, by publishing a
notification in the Federal Register. NMFS has determined that the
commercial quota of 432,500 lb (196,179 kg) for Gulf group king
mackerel for vessels using run-around gillnets in the Florida west
coast sub-zone was reached on January 7. Hence, the commercial fishery
for king mackerel for such vessels in the Florida west coast sub-zone
is closed effective 12:01 noon, local time, January 7, 1997, through
June 30, 1997, the end of the fishing year.
The Florida west coast sub-zone extends from 87 deg.31'06'' W.
long. (due south of the Alabama/Florida boundary) to: (1) 25 deg.20.4'
N. lat. (due east of the Dade/Monroe County, FL, boundary) through
March 31, 1997; and (2) 25 deg.48' N. lat. (due west the Monroe/Collier
County, FL, boundary) from April 1, 1997, through October 31, 1997.
Classification
This action is taken under 50 CFR 622.43(a)(3) and is exempt from
review under E.O. 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: January 6, 1997.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-610 Filed 1-7-97; 3:07 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
