[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 135 (Friday, July 15, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-17305]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: July 15, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 630
[Docket No. 910640-1140; I.D. 071294A]
Atlantic Swordfish Fishery
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Closure.
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SUMMARY: NMFS closes the drift gillnet fishery for swordfish in the
North Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea,
north of 5 deg. N. lat. NMFS has determined that the semiannual quota
for swordfish that may be harvested by drift gillnet during July
through December will be reached on or before July 20, 1994. This
closure is necessary to prevent the catch of swordfish by drift gillnet
vessels from exceeding the quota.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Closure is effective 0001 hours, local time, July 20,
1994, through December 31, 1994.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard B. Stone, 301-713- 2347.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Atlantic swordfish fishery is managed
under the authority of the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management
Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) and the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (16
U.S.C. 971 et seq.).
The implementing regulations at 50 CFR 630.24(b)(1)(i)(A) establish
a quota of 69,286 lb (31,428 kg) of swordfish that may be harvested by
drift gillnet during the period July 1 through December 31, each year.
NMFS may adjust the July 1 through December 31, 1994, drift gillnet
quota to reflect actual catches made in the January 1 through June 30,
1994, semiannual period as specified in 50 CFR 630.24. Available data
indicate that the January through June quota was exceeded by 3034 lb
(1376 kg) when the fishery was closed on June 25, 1994. Therefore, the
adjusted quota for the July through December period is 66,252 lb
(30,051 kg).
Under 50 CFR 630.25(a), NMFS is required to close the drift gillnet
fishery for swordfish when its quota is reached, or is projected to be
reached, by filing a document with the Office of the Federal Register
at least 8 days before the closure is to become effective.
Based on reported catch, NMFS has determined that the drift gillnet
quota for the July 1 through December 31 period will be reached on or
before July 20, 1994. Hence, the drift gillnet fishery for Atlantic
swordfish is closed effective 0001 hours, local time, July 20, 1994,
through December 31, 1994.
During this closure of the drift gillnet fishery: (1) A person
aboard a vessel using or having aboard a drift gillnet may not fish for
swordfish from the North Atlantic swordfish stock; (2) no more than two
swordfish per trip may be possessed in the North Atlantic Ocean,
including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, north of 5 deg. N. lat;
and (3) no more than two swordfish per trip may be landed in an
Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, or Caribbean coastal state.
Classification
This action is required by 50 CFR 630.25(a) and is exempt from OMB
review under E.0. 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. and 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.
Dated: July 12, 1994.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-17305 Filed 7-12-94; 3:26 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
