[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 116 (Tuesday, June 17, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32697-32698]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-15953]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 285
[I.D. 060397D]
Atlantic Tuna Fisheries; Recreational Fishery Adjustments
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Fishery reopening.
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SUMMARY: NMFS reopens the Angling category fishery for school, large
school, and small medium Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABT) for all areas. The
Angling category fishery for school, large school, and small medium ABT
will open beginning June 13, 1997. The Angling category fishery for
large school and small medium ABT will close on June 27, 1997 at 11:30
p.m. local time in the southern area (Delaware and states south) only.
The northern Angling category fishery for large school and small medium
ABT, and the Angling category fishery for school ABT in all areas, will
remain open until further notice. The daily catch limit for the
reopening remains at one ABT per vessel. This action is being taken to
extend scientific data collection on ABT and to further domestic
management objectives for the Atlantic tuna fisheries, while preventing
overharvest of the regional Angling category subquotas.
DATES: The Angling category fishery for school, large school, and small
medium ABT will open beginning June 13, 1997. The Angling category
fishery for large school and small medium ABT will close in the
southern area only (Delaware and states south) on June 27, 1997, at
11:30 p.m. local time. The northern Angling category fishery for large
school and small medium ABT, and the Angling category fishery for
school ABT in all areas, will remain open until the effective date of a
closure, which will be announced in the Federal Register.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Kelly, 301-713-2347, or Mark
Murray-Brown, 508-281-9260.
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. Section 285.22 subdivides the U.S. quota
recommended by the International Commission for the Conservation of
Atlantic Tunas among the various domestic fishing categories.
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 and publish a Federal
Register announcement to close the applicable fishery.
On February 21, 1997, NMFS amended the regulations governing the
Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABT) fisheries to provide authority for NMFS to
close and/or reopen all or part of the Angling category in order to
provide for further distribution of fishing opportunities throughout
the species range (62 FR 8634, February 26, 1997). The regulatory
amendments were necessary to increase the geographic and temporal scope
of data collection from the scientific monitoring quota established for
the United States. Additionally, the authority for interim closures
facilitates a more equitable geographic and temporal distribution of
fishing opportunities for all fishermen in the Angling category, thus
furthering
[[Page 32698]]
domestic management objectives for the Atlantic tuna fisheries.
On March 2, 1997, based on catch estimates obtained through angler
interviews, NMFS closed the Angling category for school, large school,
and small medium ABT in all areas (62 FR 9376, March 3, 1997). NMFS
announced the possibility of reopening the Angling category fishery
upon the determination that the bluefin had migrated further north, and
that the effective date of reopening would be published in the Federal
Register.
Angling Category Reopening
NMFS has determined, based on catch reports from anglers fishing
for other large pelagic species such as yellowfin tuna and anglers
fishing for bluefin tuna under the catch and release program, that
bluefin tuna have begun to migrate northward.
NMFS is limiting to 2 weeks the opening period for large school and
small medium ABT in the southern area (waters off Delaware and states
south (south of 38 deg.47' N. lat.)) based on preliminary estimates of
catches in North Carolina, the available quota, and expected catch
rates of large school and small medium ABT. Fishing for, catching,
possessing, or landing any large school or small medium ABT in the
southern area must cease by 11:30 p.m. local time on June 27, 1997.
After the closure, anglers aboard a vessel holding an Atlantic tunas
permit may continue to fish for ABT 47 inches (119 cm) or greater under
the NMFS tag and release program (50 CFR 285.27). The northern Angling
category fishery for large school and small medium ABT, and the Angling
category fishery for school ABT in all areas, will remain open until
further notice.
Catch Limit
NMFS previously adjusted the daily catch limit for the Angling
category fishery for ABT to one fish per vessel (61 FR 66618, December
18, 1996), which may be from the school, large school, or small medium
size class (measuring 27-73''); due to increased participation in the
fishery and anticipated catch rates, this daily catch limit remains in
effect. Additionally, the catch limit for trophy size class ABT (large
medium and giant ABT, measuring 73'' and greater) remains at one per
vessel per year.
This action is being taken to facilitate a geographic and temporal
distribution of fishing opportunities for all fishermen in the Angling
category, thus furthering domestic management objectives for the
Atlantic tuna fisheries. This action also facilitates data collection
from the scientific monitoring quota established for the United States
over the greatest geographic and temporal range.
Classification
This action is taken under 50 CFR 285.20(b)(1) and is exempt from
review under E.O. 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.
Dated: June 12, 1997.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-15953 Filed 6-13-97; 12:29 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
