[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 150 (Friday, August 2, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 40352]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-19635]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 285
[I.D. 072996C]
Atlantic Tuna Fisheries; Closure
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Fishery closure.
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SUMMARY: NMFS closes the Angling category fishery for large school and
small medium Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABT). Closure of this fishery is
necessary because the annual quota of 100 metric tons (mt) of large
school and small medium ABT allocated to the Angling category is
projected to be attained by July 31, 1996. The intent of this action is
to prevent overharvest of the quota established for this fishery.
EFFECTIVE DATE: The closure is effective from 2330 hours local time
July 31 through December 31, 1996.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill Hogarth, 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 ABT by persons and vessels subject to U.S. jurisdiction
are found at 50 CFR part 285.
Implementing regulations for the Atlantic tuna fisheries at 50 CFR
285.22 provide for a total annual quota of large school and small
medium ABT (measuring between 47 inches (119 cm) and 73 inches (185 cm)
total curved fork length) to be harvested from the regulatory area. 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 those statistics, to project a date when the 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 those fishing in the category subject to the quota when the catch of
tuna equals the quota established under Sec. 285.22. The AA has
determined, based on the reported catch and estimated fishing effort,
that the annual quota of large school and small medium ABT will be
attained by July 31, 1996. Fishing for, catching, possessing, or
landing any large school or small medium ABT must cease by 2330 hours
local time on July 31, 1996.
However, anglers may continue to fish for ABT 47 inches (119 cm) or
greater under the NMFS tag and release program (50 CFR 285.27). The
Angling category fishery for school ABT (measuring between 27 inches
(69 cm) and 47 inches (119 cm)) in the waters off Delaware and south
was previously closed on July 25, 1996 (61 FR 38656, July 25, 1996).
The Angling category fishery for school ABT for waters off New Jersey
and states north (north of 38 deg.47' N. lat.) is not affected by this
closure, and continues to remain open.
Classification
This action is taken under 50 CFR 285.20(b) and 50 CFR 285.22 and
is exempt from review under E.O. 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.
Dated: July 29, 1996.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 96-19635 Filed 7-29-96; 5:02 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
