[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 195 (Thursday, October 8, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54078-54079]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-26925]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 285
[I.D. 092398B]
Atlantic Tuna Fisheries; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna; Closure
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: General category closure.
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SUMMARY: NMFS has determined that the 1998 Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT)
General category subquota for the October-December period will be
attained by October 5, 1998. Therefore, General category fishery for
October-December will be closed effective 11:30 p.m. on October 5,
1998. This action is being taken to prevent overharvest of the adjusted
subquota of 116 metric tons (mt) for the October-December period.
DATES: Effective 11:30 p.m. local time on October 5, 1998, through
December 31, 1998.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah McLaughlin, 301-713-2347, or Pat
Scida, 978-281-9260.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations implemented under the authority
of the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.) governing
the harvest of BFT 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.
General Category Closure
NMFS is required, under Sec. 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 BFT will equal the quota and publish a Federal
Register announcement to close the applicable fishery.
Implementing regulations for the Atlantic tuna fisheries at 50 CFR
285.22 provide for a subquota of 65 mt of large medium and giant BFT to
be harvested from the regulatory area by vessels permitted in the
General category during the period beginning October 1 and ending
December 31. Due to a total underharvest of 1 mt in the June-August and
September period subquotas and to the transfer of 50 mt from other
categories (10 mt from the Reserve and 40 mt from the Incidental
Longline South quota), the October-December period subquota was
adjusted to 116 mt (63 FR 51855, September 29, 1998). Based on reported
catch and effort, NMFS projects that this revised subquota will be
reached by October 5, 1998. Therefore, fishing for, retaining,
possessing, or landing large medium or giant BFT by vessels in the
General category must cease at 11:30 p.m. local time October 5, 1998.
If, after tallying the landings following the closure, NMFS determines
that a substantial amount of quota remains, NMFS may reopen the General
category fishery as necessary to allow full harvest of the adjusted
October-December subquota.
General category permit holders may tag and release BFT while the
General category is closed, subject to the requirements of the tag and
release program at 50 CFR 285.27.
The intent of this closure is to prevent overharvest of the
October-December period subquota established for the General category.
NMFS will announce the opening date of the New York Bight fishery
through a separate Federal Register notice.
[[Page 54079]]
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: October 2, 1998.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-26925 Filed 10-2-98; 4:06 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
