[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 16 (Wednesday, January 25, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 4866]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-1776]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 642
[Docket No. 940710-4292; I.D. 011895A]
Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and
South Atlantic; Trip Limit Reduction
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Trip limit reduction.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS reduces the commercial trip limit of Atlantic group
Spanish mackerel in the southern zone to 1,000 lb (454 kg) per day in
or from the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). This trip limit reduction is
necessary to protect the Atlantic Spanish mackerel resource.
EFFECTIVE DATE: The 1,000-lb (454-kg) commercial trip limit is
effective 12:01 a.m., local time, January 20, 1995, and remains in
effect through March 31, 1995.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark F. Godcharles, 813-570-5305.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The fishery for coastal migratory pelagic
fish (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 642 under
the authority of the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act.
An adjusted allocation and commercial trip limits were recommended
by the Councils and implemented by NMFS for Atlantic migratory group
Spanish mackerel from the southern zone. As set forth at 50 CFR
642.27(b), the adjusted allocation is 4.35 million lb (1.97 million
kg). In accordance with 50 CFR 642.27(a)(2)(iii), after 75 percent of
the adjusted allocation of Atlantic group Spanish mackerel from the
southern zone is taken until 100 percent of the adjusted allocation is
taken, Spanish mackerel in or from the EEZ in the southern zone may not
be possessed aboard or landed from a vessel in a day in amounts
exceeding 1,000 pounds (454 kg). In accordance with 50 CFR
642.27(a)(2)(iv), after 100 percent of the adjusted allocation of
Atlantic group Spanish mackerel from the southern zone is taken through
the end of the fishing year, Spanish mackerel in or from the EEZ in the
southern zone may not be possessed aboard or landed from a vessel in a
day in amounts exceeding 500 lb (227 kg) per day.
NMFS has determined that 75 percent of the adjusted allocation for
Atlantic group Spanish mackerel from the southern zone will be taken by
January 19, 1995. Accordingly, the 1,000-pound (454-kg) per day
commercial trip limit applies to Spanish mackerel in or from the EEZ in
the southern zone effective 12:01 a.m., local time, January 20, 1995,
through March 31, 1995, unless changed by further notification in the
Federal Register.
The southern zone of Atlantic group Spanish mackerel extends from
the Georgia/Florida boundary (30 deg.42'45.6'' N. lat.) southward to
the Dade/Monroe County, Florida, boundary (25 deg.20.4' N. lat.).
Classification
This action is taken under 50 CFR 642.27(a)(2)(iii) and (b) and is
exempt from review under E.O. 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: January 19, 1995.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-1776 Filed 1-19-95; 4:32 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
