[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 15 (Thursday, January 23, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 3490]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-1588]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 285
[I.D. 011697B]
Atlantic Tuna Fisheries; Fishery Closure
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Closure.
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SUMMARY: NMFS has determined that the Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABT)
Incidental Other category has attained its 1997 annual quota.
Therefore, the Incidental Other category for 1997 will be closed.
EFFECTIVE DATE: The closure of the Incidental Other category is
effective 11:30 p.m. local time on January 17, 1997, until the
effective date of a quota adjustment, if any, which will be published
in the Federal Register.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Kelly, 301-713-2347, or Mark
Murray-Brown, 508-281-9260.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations implemented under the authority
of the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.) governing
the harvest of ABT by persons and vessels subject to U.S. jurisdiction
are found at 50 CFR part 285. Section 285.22 subdivides the U.S. quota
recommended by the International Commission for the Conservation of
Atlantic Tunas among the various domestic fishing categories.
NMFS is required, under 285.20(b)(1), to monitor the catch and
landing statistics and, on the basis of these statistics, to project a
date when the catch of ABT will equal the quota and publish a Federal
Register announcement to close the applicable fishery.
Incidental Other Category Closure
Implementing regulations for the Atlantic tuna fisheries at 50 CFR
285.22 provide for a quota of 1 mt of large medium and giant ABT to be
harvested from the regulatory area by vessels fishing under the
Incidental Other category quota over the period January 1 - December
31. Based on reported catch, NMFS has determined that this quota has
been reached; reported landings as of January 16, 1997, total 1.23 mt.
Therefore, retaining, possessing, or landing large medium or giant ABT
under the Incidental Other category quota must cease at 11:30 p.m.
local time on January 17, 1997, until the effective date of a quota
adjustment, if any, which will be published in the Federal Register.
Classification
This action is taken under 50 CFR 285.20(b) and 50 CFR 285.22 and
is exempt from review under E.O. 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.
Dated: January 16, 1997.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-1588 Filed 1-17-97; 2:48 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
