[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 96 (Thursday, May 16, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24728-24729]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-12346]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 658
[I.D. 050896B]
Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Texas Closure
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 June 1, 1996. The Texas
closure is intended to prohibit the harvest of brown shrimp during the
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 DATE: The EEZ off Texas is closed to trawl fishing from 30
minutes after sunset, June 1, 1996, to 30 minutes after sunset, July
15, 1996, unless the latter date is changed through notification in the
Federal Register.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael E. Justen, 813-570-5305.
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. The FMP implementing regulations at 50 CFR 658.26 describe the
Texas closure and provide for adjustments to the beginning and ending
dates by the Director, Southeast Region, NMFS, under specified
criteria.
Biological data collected by the Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department indicate
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that brown shrimp will be leaving the Texas estuaries later than
normal. This information and other data meeting the FMP's criteria
indicate that beginning the closure on June 1, 1996, is necessary to
provide adequate protection of small brown shrimp emigrating from the
Texas estuaries.
Accordingly, the time and date as provided at 50 CFR 658.26(a) for
beginning the Texas closure is changed from 30 minutes after sunset May
15, 1996, to 30 minutes after sunset on June 1, 1996. During the
closure, the area described at 50 CFR 658.26(a) is closed to all trawl
fishing, except that a vessel may trawl for royal red shrimp beyond the
100-fathom (183-m) depth contour. The waters of Texas will also be
closed commencing at 30 minutes after sunset on June 1, 1996.
The termination date of the Texas closure may be adjusted to
conform to the termination date of the closure in the waters of Texas.
If adjusted, notification of the revised termination date will be
published in the Federal Register.
Classification
This action is authorized by 50 CFR 658.26(b) and is exempt from
review under E.O. 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: May 10, 1996.
Richard H. Schaefer,
Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, National
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 96-12346 Filed 5-15-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
