[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 19 (Monday, January 29, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2728-2729]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-1484]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 642
[Docket No. 950725189-5260-02; I.D. 012396A]
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.
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SUMMARY: NMFS reduces the commercial trip limit in the hook-and-line
fishery for king mackerel in the Florida west coast sub-zone to 50 king
mackerel per day in or from the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). This
trip limit reduction is necessary to protect the overfished Gulf king
mackerel resource.
EFFECTIVE DATE: The 50-fish commercial trip limit is effective 12:01
a.m., local time, January 24, 1996, and remains in effect through June
30, 1996, unless changed by further notification in the Federal
Register.
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.
Based on the Councils' recommended total allowable catch and the
allocation ratios in the FMP, NMFS implemented a commercial quota for
the Gulf migratory group of king mackerel in the Florida west coast
sub-zone at 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
vessels using hook- and line gear.
In accordance with 50 CFR 642.28(b)(2)(ii), from the date that 75
percent of the sub-zone's commercial quota has been harvested until a
closure of the Florida west coast sub-zone has
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been effected or the fishing year ends, king mackerel in or from the
EEZ may be possessed on board or landed from a permitted vessel in
amounts not exceeding 50 per day.
NMFS has determined that 75 percent of the commercial hook-and-line
quota for Gulf group king mackerel from the Florida west coast sub-zone
was reached on January 23, 1996. Accordingly, a 50-fish trip limit
applies to vessels in the commercial hook-and-line fishery for king
mackerel in or from the EEZ in the Florida west coast sub-zone
effective 12:01 a.m., local time, January 24, 1996.
The Florida west coast sub-zone extends from the Alabama/Florida
boundary (87 deg.31'06'' W. long.) to: (1) The Dade/Monroe County, FL
boundary (25 deg.20.4' N. lat.) from November 1 through March 31; and
(2) the Monroe/Collier County, FL boundary (25 deg.48' N. lat.) from
April 1 through October 31.
Classification
This action is taken under 50 CFR 642.28(c) and is exempt from
review under E.O. 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: January 23, 1996.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 96-1484 Filed 1-23-96; 5:02 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
