[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 91 (Thursday, May 12, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-11494]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: May 12, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 658
[I.D. 050594A]
Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Adjustment of the beginning date of the Texas closure.
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SUMMARY: NMFS announces an adjustment of the beginning date of the
annual closure of the shrimp fishery in the exclusive economic zone
(EEZ) off Texas. The closure is normally from May 15 to July 15 each
year. This year the closure will begin on May 13, 1994, because
biological data indicate that brown shrimp will be leaving the Texas
estuaries earlier than normal. The Texas closure is intended to
prohibit the harvest of brown shrimp during their major period of
emigration from Texas estuaries to the Gulf of Mexico so the shrimp may
reach a larger, more valuable size and to prevent the waste of brown
shrimp that would be discarded in fishing operations because of their
small size.
EFFECTIVE DATES: The EEZ off Texas is closed to trawl fishing from 30
minutes after sunset, May 13, 1994, until 30 minutes after sunset, July
15, 1994, unless otherwise announced through notification in the
Federal Register.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael E. Justen, 813-893-3161.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Gulf of Mexico shrimp fishery is managed
under the Fishery Management Plan for the Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of
Mexico (FMP). The FMP was prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery
Management Council and is implemented by regulations at 50 CFR part 658
under the authority of the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management
Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.). The FMP implementing regulations at 50
CFR 658.25 describe the Texas closure and provide for adjustments to
the beginning and ending dates by the Director, Southeast Region, NMFS,
under specified criteria.
Available information meeting the criteria specified at 50 CFR
658.25(b)(1) indicates that a closure date earlier than May 15 is
warranted and desirable. Biological data collected by the Texas Parks
and Wildlife Department indicate that beginning the closure on May 13,
1994, is necessary to provide adequate protection of small brown shrimp
emigrating from the Texas estuaries.
Accordingly, the time and date at 50 CFR 658.25(a) for beginning
the Texas closure is changed from 30 minutes after sunset, May 15,
1994, to 30 minutes after sunset on May 13, 1994. During the closure,
the area described at 50 CFR 658.25(a) is closed to all trawl fishing,
except that a vessel may fish for royal red shrimp beyond the 100-
fathom (183-m) depth contour. The waters of Texas are also closed
commencing 30 minutes after sunset on May 13, 1994.
The termination date of the Texas closure will be adjusted in
accordance with the criteria specified at 50 CFR 658.25(b) and to
conform to the termination date of the closure in the waters of Texas.
The adjusted termination date will be published in the Federal
Register.
Classification
This action is authorized by 50 CFR 658.25 and has been determined
to be not significant for purposes of E.O. 12866.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 658
Fisheries, Fishing, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
Dated: May 6, 1994.
Joe P. Clem,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-11494 Filed 5-9-94; 2:26 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
