[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 162 (Tuesday, August 20, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 43027]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-21123]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 285
[I.D. 081496A]
Atlantic Tuna Fisheries; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Closure.
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SUMMARY: NMFS closes the fishery for school Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABT)
in the waters off New Jersey and states north. Closure of this fishery
is necessary because the annual quota is projected to be attained by
August 17, 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
August 17 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.) regulating
the harvest of ABT by persons and vessels subject to U.S. jurisdiction
are found at 50 CFR part 285.
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 school ABT will be attained by
August 17, 1996. Fishing for, catching, possessing, or landing any
school ABT in any area must cease at 2330 hours local time on August
17, 1996. The Angling category fishery for bluefin tuna in the large
school and small medium classes (47 inches to less than 59 inches (119
cm to less than 150 cm), and 59 inches to less than 73 inches (150 cm
to less than 185 cm) curved fork length, respectively) was previously
closed on July 31, 1996 (61 FR 40352, August 2, 1996). However, anglers
may continue to tag and release fish greater than 27 inches (69 cm)
curved fork length under the NMFS tag-and-release program (50 CFR
285.27).
Classification
This action is taken under 50 CFR 285.20(b)(1) and is exempt from
review under E.O. 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.
Dated: August 14, 1996.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 96-21123 Filed 8-15-96; 9:10 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
