97-12620. Atlantic Shark Fisheries; Quota Adjustment

[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 93 (Wednesday, May 14, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26428-26429]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-12620]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 678

[I.D. 050197B]


Atlantic Shark Fisheries; Quota Adjustment

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Quota adjustment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the catch of large coastal sharks in the 
Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico was 958 metric tons (mt) during 
the first semiannual 1997 season. Because of the overharvest of this 
category quota, the second semiannual 1997 quota is adjusted 
accordingly.

DATES: Effective July 1, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: C. Michael Bailey, John Kelly or Margo 
Schulze at 301-713-2347; or Buck Sutter at 813-570-5324.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    The Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico shark fisheries are 
managed by NMFS according to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for 
Atlantic Sharks prepared by NMFS under authority of the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et 
seq.). Fishing by U.S. vessels is governed by regulations implementing 
the FMP at 50 CFR part 678.
    Section 678.24(b) of the regulations provides for two semi-annual 
quotas of 642 mt of large coastal sharks to be harvested from Atlantic, 
Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico waters by commercial fishermen. The first 
semiannual quota was available for harvest from January 1 through June 
30, 1997.
    The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, is authorized 
under Sec. 678.24(c) to adjust the semiannual quota to reflect actual 
catches during the preceding semiannual period. Final data indicate 
that the catch of large coastal shark species from January through 
April 7, 1997, totaled 958 mt, which is 316 mt more than the 
established quota. Therefore, the adjusted quota for large coastal 
shark species for the second 1997 semiannual period is decreased from 
642 mt to 326 mt. The adjusted quota of 326 mt is available for the 
period July 1 through December 31, 1997.

[[Page 26429]]

Classification

    This rule is exempt from review under E.O. 12866.

    Dated: May 8, 1997.
Gary Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-12620 Filed 5-13-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F