95-20202. Atlantic Tuna Fisheries; Harpoon Boat Category Closure

[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 158 (Wednesday, August 16, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 42469]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-20202]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 285

[I.D. 081095A]


Atlantic Tuna Fisheries; Harpoon Boat Category Closure

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Harpoon Boat Category Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS closes the Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABT) fishery conducted 
by vessels permitted in the Harpoon Boat category. This closure is 
necessary since the annual quota for this category has been attained.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The closure is effective from 2330 hours local time on 
August 11, 1995, through December 31, 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John D. Kelly, 301-713-2347 or Kevin 
B. Foster, 508-281-9260.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations implemented under authority of 
the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (16 U.S.C. 971-971h) pertaining to 
harvest of Atlantic tunas by persons and vessels subject to U.S. 
jurisdiction appear at 50 CFR part 285.
    Section 285.22(b) of the regulations provides for an annual quota 
of 47 metric tons of large medium and giant size class ABT to be 
harvested from the Regulatory Area by vessels permitted in the Harpoon 
Boat category. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (AA) is 
authorized 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 total catch of ABT will equal any quota under Sec. 285.22. The 
AA is further authorized under Sec. 285.20(b)(1) to prohibit fishing 
for, or retention of, ABT by the category of gear subject to the 
quotas.
    Based on landing reports, the AA has determined that the quota of 
ABT allocated for the Harpoon Boat category for 1995 will be attained 
by August 11, 1995. Fishing for, retention, possession, or landing of 
large medium or giant size class ABT by vessels permitted in the 
Harpoon Boat category must cease at 2330 hours on August 11, 1995.

Classification

    This action is taken under the authority of 50 CFR 285.20, and is 
exempt from review under E.O. 12866.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971-971h.

    Dated: August 10, 1995.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-20202 Filed 8-10-95; 3:51 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F