97-5303. 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  

  • [Federal Register Volume 62, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 4, 1997)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Page 9718]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 97-5303]
    
    
    
    [[Page 9718]]
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
    
    National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
    
    50 CFR Part 622
    
    [Docket No. 950725189-6245-04; I.D. 022697B]
    
    
    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 king mackerel in the 
    Florida east coast sub-zone from 50 to 25 per day in or from the 
    exclusive economic zone (EEZ). This trip limit reduction is necessary 
    to protect the overfished Gulf king mackerel resource.
    
    EFFECTIVE DATE: The 25-fish commercial trip limit is effective 12:01 
    a.m., local time, March 1, 1997, through March 31, 1997.
    
    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 by regulations at 50 CFR part 622 under 
    the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
    Management Act.
        Based on the Councils' recommended total allowable catch and the 
    allocation ratios in the FMP, NMFS implemented a commercial quota for 
    the Gulf migratory group of king mackerel in the Florida east coast 
    sub-zone of 865,000 lb (392,357 kg). In accordance with 50 CFR 
    622.44(a)(2)(i)(B), from the date that 75 percent of the sub-zone's 
    commercial quota has been harvested, provided that the date occurs 
    before March 1, until a closure of the Florida east coast sub-zone has 
    been effected, king mackerel in or from this sub-zone in the EEZ may be 
    possessed on board or landed from a permitted vessel in amounts not 
    exceeding 25 per day. The 25-fish trip limit remains in effect through 
    March 31, 1997, when the boundary of the Gulf migratory group of king 
    mackerel shifts from the east coast to the west coast of Florida, 
    unless 100 percent of the commercial quota is reached before March 31, 
    in which case the commercial fishery for king mackerel in the Florida 
    east coast sub-zone is closed by publication of a notification in the 
    Federal Register.
        NMFS has determined that 75 percent of the commercial quota for 
    Gulf group king mackerel from the Florida east coast sub-zone was 
    reached by February 28, 1997. Accordingly, a 25-fish trip limit applies 
    to king mackerel in or from the EEZ in the Florida east coast sub-zone 
    effective 12:01 a.m., local time, March 1, 1997.
        The Florida east coast sub-zone extends from 25 deg.20.4' N. lat. 
    (due east of the Dade/Monroe County, FL, boundary) to 29 deg.25' N. 
    lat. (due east of the Volusia/Flagler County, FL, boundary) from 
    November 1 through March 31.
    
    Classification
    
        This action is taken under 50 CFR 622.44(a)(2)(i)(B) and is exempt 
    from review under E.O. 12866.
    
        Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    
        Dated: February 27, 1997.
    Gary C. Matlock,
    Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
    Service.
    [FR Doc. 97-5303 Filed 2-27-97; 5:02 pm]
    BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
3/1/1997
Published:
03/04/1997
Department:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Trip limit reduction.
Document Number:
97-5303
Dates:
The 25-fish commercial trip limit is effective 12:01 a.m., local time, March 1, 1997, through March 31, 1997.
Pages:
9718-9718 (1 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 950725189-6245-04, I.D. 022697B
PDF File:
97-5303.pdf
CFR: (1)
50 CFR 622