[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 133 (Monday, July 13, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 37506-37507]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-18461]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 285
[I.D. 070698D]
Atlantic Tuna Fisheries; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Harpoon category closure.
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SUMMARY: NMFS has determined that the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT)
Harpoon category annual quota for 1998 will be attained by July 7,
1998. Therefore, the 1998 Harpoon category fishery will be closed
effective at 11:30 p.m. on July 7, 1998. This action is being taken to
prevent overharvest of the Harpoon category quota.
DATES: Effective 11:30 p.m. local time on July 7, 1998, through
December 31, 1998.
[[Page 37507]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pat Scida, 978-281-9260, or Sarah
McLaughlin, 301-713-2347.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations implemented under the authority
of the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.) governing
the harvest of BFT 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.
Harpoon Category Closure
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 BFT will equal the quota and publish a Federal
Register announcement to close the applicable fishery.
Implementing regulations for the Atlantic tuna fisheries at
Sec. 285.22 provide for a quota of 53 mt of large medium and giant BFT
to be harvested from the regulatory area by vessels permitted in the
Harpoon category. Based on reported landings and effort, NMFS projects
that this quota will be reached by July 7, 1998. Therefore, fishing
for, retaining, possessing, or landing large medium or giant BFT by
vessels in the Harpoon category must cease at 11:30 p.m. local time
July 7, 1998.
The intent of this closure is to prevent overharvest of the quota
established for the Harpoon category.
Classification
This action is taken under Secs. 285.20(b) and 285.22 and is exempt
from review under E.O. 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.
Dated: July 7, 1998.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-18461 Filed 7-7-98; 4:25 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
