98-20828. Atlantic Shark Fisheries; Large Coastal Shark Species  

  • [Federal Register Volume 63, Number 150 (Wednesday, August 5, 1998)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Page 41736]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 98-20828]
    
    
    
    [[Page 41736]]
    
    =======================================================================
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
    
    National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
    
    50 CFR Part 678
    
    [I.D. 073098A]
    
    
    Atlantic Shark Fisheries; Large Coastal Shark Species
    
    AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
    Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
    
    ACTION: Closure.
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    SUMMARY: NMFS is closing the commercial fishery for large coastal 
    sharks conducted by persons aboard vessels issued a Federal Atlantic 
    shark permit in the Western North Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of 
    Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. This action is necessary to ensure that 
    the adjusted second semiannual quota for the period July 1 through 
    December 31, 1998, is not exceeded.
    
    DATES: The closure is effective from 11:30 p.m. local time August 4, 
    1998, through December 31, 1998.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Margo Schulze or Karyl Brewster-Geisz, 
    301-713-2347, fax 301-713-1917; or Buck Sutter, 727-570-5447, fax 727-
    570-5364.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Atlantic shark fishery is managed under 
    the Fishery Management Plan for Sharks of the Atlantic Ocean and its 
    implementing regulations are found at 50 CFR part 678 and issued under 
    authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
    Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.).
        Section 678.24(b) of the regulations provides for two semiannual 
    quotas of large coastal sharks to be harvested from Atlantic, 
    Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico waters by commercial fishers. The second 
    semiannual quota is available for harvest from July 1 through December 
    31, 1998.
        The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (AA), is required 
    under Sec. 678.25 to monitor the catch and landing statistics and, on 
    the basis of these statistics, to determine when the catch of Atlantic, 
    Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico sharks will equal any quota under 
    Sec. 678.24(b). When shark harvests reach, or are projected to reach, a 
    quota established under Sec. 678.24(b), the AA is further required 
    under Sec. 678.25 to close the fishery.
        The first semiannual quota was available for harvest from January 1 
    through June 30, 1998. Final data indicated that the catch of large 
    coastal shark species from January 1 through March 31, 1998, totaled 
    684.8 mt, which was 42 mt more than the established quota. Therefore, 
    the adjusted quota for large coastal shark species for the second 1998 
    semiannual period was decreased from 642 mt to 600 mt (63 FR 29355, May 
    29, 1998).
        The AA has determined, based on the reported catch and other 
    relevant factors, that the adjusted semiannual quota for the period 
    July 1 through December 31, 1998, for large coastal sharks in or from 
    the Western North Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico and 
    Caribbean Sea, will be attained as of August 3, 1998. During the 
    closure, retention of large coastal sharks is prohibited for persons 
    fishing aboard vessels issued a permit under Sec. 678.4, unless the 
    vessel is operating as a charter vessel or headboat, in which case the 
    vessel may retain up to two large coastal sharks per trip subject to 
    the provisions of Sec. 678.25(a)(2). The retention, sale, purchase, 
    trade, or barter or attempted sale, purchase, trade, or barter of 
    carcasses and/or fins of large coastal sharks harvested by a person 
    aboard a vessel that has been issued a permit under Sec. 678.4 is 
    prohibited, except for those that were harvested, offloaded, and sold, 
    traded, or bartered prior to the closure, and were held in storage by a 
    dealer or processor.
        Persons fishing aboard vessels issued a Federal Atlantic shark 
    permit under Sec. 678.4 are reminded that, as a condition of permit 
    issuance, the vessel may not retain a large coastal shark during the 
    closure, except as provided by Sec. 678.24(a). Fishing for pelagic and 
    small coastal sharks may continue. The recreational fishery is not 
    affected by this closure.
    
    Classification
    
        This action is taken under 50 CFR part 678 and is exempt from 
    review under E.O. 12866.
    
        Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    
        Dated: July 30, 1998.
    Bruce Morehead,
    Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
    Fisheries Service.
    [FR Doc. 98-20828 Filed 7-30-98; 4:40 pm]
    BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
8/4/1998
Published:
08/05/1998
Department:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Closure.
Document Number:
98-20828
Dates:
The closure is effective from 11:30 p.m. local time August 4, 1998, through December 31, 1998.
Pages:
41736-41736 (1 pages)
Docket Numbers:
I.D. 073098A
PDF File:
98-20828.pdf
CFR: (1)
50 CFR 678.24(b)