[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 20, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 11336]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-6595]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 285
[I.D. 031296A]
Atlantic Tuna Fisheries; Closure
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Fishery closure.
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SUMMARY: NMFS has determined that the 1996 Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABT)
Angling category quota for fish between 47 inches (119 cm) and 73
inches (185 cm) has been reached. Therefore, landing large school and
small medium ABT under the Angling category is prohibited effective at
11:30 p.m. on March 17, 1996. This action is being taken to prevent
overharvest of this category.
EFFECTIVE DATE: The closure is effective 11:30 p.m., local time, March
17, 1996, through December 31, 1996, or until the effective date of any
future adjustment, which will be published in the Federal Register.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Hogarth, 301-713-2339.
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.
Implementing regulations for the Atlantic tuna fisheries at 50 CFR
285.22 provide for a total annual quota of large school and small
medium ABT to be harvested from the regulatory area. 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 ABT will equal the quota applicable to any period.
Preliminary information on total angling effort and catch of ABT
between 47 inches (119 cm) and 73 inches (185 cm) indicates that for
January and February, 1996, landings may total nearly 100 mt.
Information available to NMFS on fishing effort and catch rates since
March 1, 1996, indicates that the remaining quota is likely to be taken
by March 17, 1996. Therefore, fishing for, retention, possessing, or
landing large school or small medium ABT must cease at 11:30 p.m.,
local time, March 17, 1996. This action is to prevent overharvest of
the quota established for this category.
Anglers may continue to fish for and land school size ABT,
measuring 27 inches (69 cm) to less than 47 inches (119 cm) total
curved fork length. Retention of school ABT is subject to the revised
bag limit of one fish per boat per day as set in a prior document (61
FR 8223, March 4, 1996). Anglers may also continue to fish for ABT 47
inches (119 cm) or greater under the NMFS tag and release program (50
CFR 285.27).
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: March 14, 1996.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 96-6595 Filed 3-14-96; 3:56 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
