[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 244 (Wednesday, December 20, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65597-65598]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-30822]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 285
[I.D. 121495A]
Atlantic Tuna Fisheries; Bluefin Tuna
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Closure of the General category fishery.
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SUMMARY: NMFS has determined that the 10 metric tons (mt) of Atlantic
bluefin tuna (ABT) set aside for the late-season General category
fishery in the New York Bight beginning October 1, 1995, will have been
taken by December 15, 1995. Therefore, the General category fishery
will be closed effective at 2330 hours (11:30 pm) on Friday, December
15, 1995. This action is being taken to prevent overharvest of the
quota established for this fishery.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 2330 hours on December 15, 1995, through
December 31, 1995.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Kelly, 301-713-2347, or Kevin
Foster, 508-281-9260.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations implemented under the authority
of the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.) governing
the harvest of ABT by persons and vessels subject to U.S. jurisdiction
are found at 50 CFR part 285. Section 285.22 subdivides the
International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas
recommended U.S. quota among the various domestic fishing categories.
Implementing regulations for the Atlantic Tuna Fisheries at 50 CFR
285.22(a) provide for an adjusted annual quota of 550 mt of large
medium and giant ABT to be harvested from the Regulatory Area by
vessels permitted in the General category. Based on landings
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statistics, the fishery was closed on September 12, 1995 (60 FR 48052,
September 18, 1995). A transfer of 10 mt from the longline-south
Incidental subcategory to the General category adjusted the General
category quota to 560 mt (60 FR 51932, October 4, 1995). Furthermore,
the 10 mt transfer established a geographic set-aside for the New York
Bight fishery to be fished from October 1 until the 10 mt are taken.
Based on landings statistics, NMFS has determined that the late-
season quota of ABT allocated for General category vessels fishing in
the New York Bight must be closed. Fishing for, retention of,
possession of, or landing large medium or giant ABT by vessels in the
General category must cease by 2330 hours December 15, 1995. This
action is being taken to prevent overharvest of the quota.
This closure of the late-season General category fishery will not
affect other categories fishing for ABT. The Incidental catch
categories remain open.
Classification
This action is taken under 50 CFR 285.20(b) and is exempt from
review under E.O. 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.
Dated: December 14, 1995.
Richard H. Schaefer,
Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, National
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-30822 Filed 12-14-95; 4:57 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
