04-900. Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Spiny Dogfish Fishery; Reopening of Commercial Fishery  

  • Start Preamble

    AGENCY:

    National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

    ACTION:

    Commercial fishery reopening.

    SUMMARY:

    NMFS announces that spiny dogfish commercial fishery will reopen. Vessels issued a Federal moratorium permit to harvest spiny dogfish may possess up to 300 lb (136 kg) of spiny dogfish per trip per calendar day on 0001 hours local time, January 12, 2004, through 2359 hours local time, April 30, 2004. The intent of this action is to allow for the full utilization of the commercial quota allocated to the spiny dogfish fishery.

    DATES:

    Effective 0001 hours local time, January 12, 2004, through 2359 hours local time, April 30, 2004.

    Start Further Info

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

    Paul H. Jones, Fishery Policy Analyst, 978-281-9273, fax 978-281-9135, e-mail paul.h.jones@noaa.gov.

    End Further Info End Preamble Start Supplemental Information

    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Section 648.231 of part 50 CFR requires NMFS to close the commercial fishery for spiny dogfish in the EEZ for each semi-annual quota period when the quota is determined to be harvested. The Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, based on dealer reports, state data, and other available information, determined that the quota for Quota Period 2 would be harvested (68 FR 41945, July 16, 2003), therefore, effective 0001 hours, July 18, 2003, the commercial fishery for spiny dogfish in the EEZ was closed. However, new projections indicate the quota of spiny dogfish may not be attained. Therefore, NMFS announces that the commercial fishery for spiny dogfish in the EEZ will reopen. Vessels issued a Federal moratorium permit to harvest spiny dogfish may possess up to 300 lb (136 kg) of spiny dogfish per trip per calendar day effective 0001 hours local time, January 12, 2004, through 2359 hours local time, April 30, 2004.

    Classification

    This action is required by 50 CFR part 648 and is exempt from review under E.O. 12866.

    Start Authority

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

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    Dated: January 12, 2003.

    Bruce C. Morehead,

    Acting Director, Offfice of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.

    End Signature End Supplemental Information

    [FR Doc. 04-900 Filed 1-12-04; 2:38 pm]

    BILLING CODE 3510-22-S

Document Information

Effective Date:
1/12/2004
Published:
01/15/2004
Department:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Commercial fishery reopening.
Document Number:
04-900
Dates:
Effective 0001 hours local time, January 12, 2004, through 2359 hours local time, April 30, 2004.
Pages:
2307-2307 (1 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 030227050-3082-02, I.D. 010904C
PDF File:
04-900.pdf
CFR: (1)
50 CFR 648