96-18564. Atlantic Swordfish Fishery; Drift Gillnet Closure Postponement  

  • [Federal Register Volume 61, Number 141 (Monday, July 22, 1996)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 37842-37843]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 96-18564]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
    
    National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
    
    50 CFR Part 630
    
    [I.D. 062796B]
    
    
    Atlantic Swordfish Fishery; Drift Gillnet Closure Postponement
    
    AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
    Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
    
    ACTION: Closure postponement.
    
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    SUMMARY: NMFS postpones the closure of the drift gillnet fishery for 
    swordfish in the Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico and 
    Caribbean Sea. On July 9, 1996, NMFS announced a closure date of July 
    17, 1996. However, NMFS has determined that the adjusted second 
    semiannual subquota for swordfish that may be harvested by drift 
    gillnet will not be reached on or before July 17, 1996, as was 
    previously determined. This closure postponement will allow vessels to 
    continue to fish and is necessary to allow the quota to be reached.
    
    EFFECTIVE DATE: This postponement action is effective July 17, 1996. 
    The closure that published on July 9, 1996 at 61 FR 35971 is postponed 
    until 2330 hours, local time, July 19, 1996, and will be in effect 
    through 2400 hours, local time, November 30, 1996.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ronald G. Rinaldo, 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 1996 swordfish Total Allowable Catch (TAC) allows for an 
    Atlantic swordfish drift gillnet subquota of 22.5 mt dressed weight 
    (49,604 lb) for the January 1 to June 30 period, and a subquota of 
    23.45 mt dressed weight (51,698 lb) for the July 1 to November 30 
    period. NMFS estimates that approximately 33,183 lb (15.0 mt) were 
    caught during the first period subquota. As required under applicable 
    regulations, the remaining portion of the
    
    [[Page 37843]]
    
    first period subquota (16,421 lb) has been carried over to the second 
    period, for an adjusted second period subquota of 30.9 mt dressed 
    weight, or 68,119 lb. NMFS estimates that approximately 13,818 lb 
    remain of the adjusted second period subquota as of this date.
        Based on projected catch rates, NMFS had previously announced a 
    closure date of July 17, 1996 (61 FR 35971). Because of Hurricane 
    Bertha, many of the vessels were unable to fish for a number of days 
    and the quota is not expected to be reached on or before July 17, 1996, 
    as was previously estimated. Given the approximately 13,818 lb remains 
    of the second period subquota and current fishery catches averaging 
    approximately 7,000 lb per day, NMFS estimates that the quota will be 
    reached on or before July 19, 1996. Hence, action is being taken to 
    postpone the fishery closure to be effective 2330 hours on July 19, 
    1996 through 2400 hours November 30, 1996.
        During this closure of the drift gillnet fishery: (1) No one aboard 
    a vessel using or having on board a drift gillnet may fish for 
    swordfish from the North Atlantic swordfish stock; (2) no more than two 
    swordfish per trip may be possessed on board vessel using or having on 
    board a drift gillnet in the North Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf 
    of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, north of 5 deg. N. lat., or 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 
    review under E.O. 12866.
    
        Dated: July 17, 1996.
    Richard H. Schaefer,
    Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, National 
    Marine Fisheries Service.
    [FR Doc. 96-18564 Filed 7-17-96; 4:47 pm]
    BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
7/17/1996
Published:
07/22/1996
Department:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Closure postponement.
Document Number:
96-18564
Dates:
This postponement action is effective July 17, 1996. The closure that published on July 9, 1996 at 61 FR 35971 is postponed until 2330 hours, local time, July 19, 1996, and will be in effect through 2400 hours, local time, November 30, 1996.
Pages:
37842-37843 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
I.D. 062796B
PDF File:
96-18564.pdf
CFR: (1)
50 CFR 630