98-31521. Whaling Provisions: Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling Quotas

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 227 (Wednesday, November 25, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 65129]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-31521]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 230

[I.D. 022398A]


Whaling Provisions: Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling Quotas

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

ACTION: Revision of aboriginal subsistence whaling quota.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Government and Russian Federation have concluded 
bilateral arrangements to ensure that the quotas for bowhead whales and 
gray whales set at the 1997 Annual Meeting of the International Whaling 
Commission are not exceeded. In response, NMFS is revising the 1998 
quota for bowhead whales from 77 bowhead whales struck to 75 bowhead 
whales struck. The gray whale quota for 1998 remains 5 gray whales 
landed. The revised bowhead quota will govern the harvest of bowhead 
whales by members of the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Catherine Corson, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: So that the 1998 quota of bowhead strikes is 
not exceeded, the Russian natives may use no more than 7 strikes, and 
the Alaska Eskimos may use no more than 75 strikes. Each side will 
ensure that the numbers specified in this paragraph for its native 
group are not exceeded. The two sides plan to confer on monitoring of 
the 1999 quota, including any strikes that may be carried forward from 
1998.
    Likewise, so that the 1998 quota of gray whales is not exceeded, 
the bilateral arrangements concluded that the Makah Indian Tribe may 
take no more than five gray whales, and the Russian natives may take no 
more than 135 gray whales. Each side will ensure that the numbers 
specified in this paragraph for its native group are not exceeded. The 
two sides plan to confer on monitoring of the 1999 quota.

    Dated: November 16, 1998.
Rolland A. Schmitten,
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-31521 Filed 11-24-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F