[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 179 (Friday, September 13, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 48413]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-23449]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 285
[I.D. 090696G]
Atlantic Tuna Fisheries; Fishery Closure
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Closure.
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SUMMARY: NMFS has determined that the Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABT)
General category quota for the September period has been attained.
Therefore, the General category fishery for the September period will
be closed effective at 11:30 p.m. on September 9, 1996. This action is
being taken to prevent overharvest of the adjusted 165 metric tons (mt)
subquota for the September period. In addition, NMFS has determined
that the Incidental other category has attained its 1996 annual quota.
Therefore, the Incidental other category for 1996 will be closed
effective September 9, 1996.
EFFECTIVE DATES: The closure of the General category for the September
period is effective 11:30 p.m. local time on September 9, 1996, through
September 30, 1996, and the closure of the Incidental other category is
effective 11:30 p.m. local time on September 9, 1996, through December
31, 1996.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Kelly, 301-713-2347, or Mark
Murray-Brown, 508-281-9260.
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. Section 285.22 subdivides the U.S. quota
recommended by the International Commission for the Conservation of
Atlantic Tunas among the various domestic fishing categories.
NMFS is required, under 285.20(b)(1), to monitor the catch and
landing statistics and, on the basis of these statistics, to project a
date when the catch of ABT will equal the quota and publish a Federal
Register announcement to close the applicable fishery.
General Category Closure
Implementing regulations for the Atlantic tuna fisheries at 50 CFR
285.22 provide for a quota of 159 mt of large medium and giant ABT to
be harvested from the regulatory area by vessels fishing under the
General category quota during the period beginning September 1 and
ending September 30. Due to an underage of 6 mt in the August subquota,
the September subquota was adjusted to 165 mt. Based on reported catch
and effort, NMFS projects that this revised quota has been reached.
Therefore, fishing for, retaining, possessing, or landing large medium
or giant ABT under the General category quota must cease at 11:30 p.m.
local time September 9, 1996. The General category will reopen October
1, 1996 with a quota of 63 mt for the October-December period. Note
that this October-December quota includes a 10-mt set aside for the New
York Bight fishery.
Incidental Other Category Closure
Implementing regulations for the Atlantic tuna fisheries at 50 CFR
285.22 provide for a quota of 1 mt of large medium and giant ABT to be
harvested from the regulatory area by vessels fishing under the
Incidental other category quota over the period January 1 - December
31. Based on reported catch, NMFS projects that this quota has been
reached. Therefore, retaining, possessing, or landing large medium or
giant ABT under the Incidental other category quota must cease at 11:30
p.m. local time September 9, 1996.
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: September 9, 1996.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-23449 Filed 9-9-96; 4:39 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
