[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 243 (Thursday, December 18, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 66304]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-33099]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 622
[Docket No. 961204340-7087-02; I.D. 121297A]
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic;
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 of Atlantic migratory
group Spanish mackerel in or from the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in
the southern zone to 1,500 lb (680 kg) per day. This trip limit
reduction is necessary to protect the Atlantic migratory group Spanish
mackerel resource.
DATES: Effective 6:00 a.m., local time, December 16, 1997, through
March 31, 1998, 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 under the authority of the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act by regulations at 50
CFR part 622.
The Councils recommended and NMFS implemented an adjusted quota and
commercial trip limits for Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel
from the southern zone. As set forth at 50 CFR 622.44(b)(2), the
adjusted quota is 3.25 million lb (1.47 million kg). In accordance with
50 CFR 622.44(b)(1)(ii)(C), after 75 percent of the adjusted quota of
Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel from the southern zone is
taken until 100 percent of the adjusted quota is taken, Atlantic
migratory group Spanish mackerel in or from the EEZ in the southern
zone may not be possessed on board or landed from a vessel in a day in
amounts exceeding 1,500 lb (680 kg). The southern zone for Atlantic
migratory group Spanish mackerel extends from 30 deg.42'45.6'' N. lat.,
which is a line directly east from the Georgia/Florida boundary, to
25 deg.20.4' N. lat., which is a line directly east from the Dade/
Monroe County, FL, boundary.
NMFS has determined that 75 percent of the adjusted quota for
Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel from the southern zone was
taken by December 15, 1997. Accordingly, the 1,500-lb (680-kg) per day
commercial trip limit applies to Atlantic migratory group Spanish
mackerel in or from the EEZ in the southern zone effective 6:00 a.m.,
local time, December 16, 1997, through March 31, 1998, unless changed
by further notification in the Federal Register.
Classification
This action is taken under 50 CFR 622.44(b)(2) and is exempt from
review under E.O. 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: December 15, 1997.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-33099 Filed 12-15-97; 3:12 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
