98-24704. Atlantic Tuna Fisheries; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna; Closure

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 178 (Tuesday, September 15, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 49296]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-24704]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 285

[I.D. 090898A]


Atlantic Tuna Fisheries; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna; Closure

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

ACTION: Incidental Other category closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS has determined that the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) 
Incidental Other category has attained its 1998 annual quota. 
Therefore, the Incidental Other category for 1998 will be closed.

DATES: Effective 11:30 p.m. local time on September 10, 1998, through 
December 31, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pat Scida, 978-281-9260, or Sarah 
McLaughlin, 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 BFT 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 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 catch of BFT will equal the quota and to publish a 
Federal Register announcement to close the applicable fishery.
    Implementing regulations for the Atlantic tuna fisheries at 50 CFR 
285.22 provide for a subquota of 1 mt of large medium and giant BFT to 
be harvested from the regulatory area by vessels fishing under the 
Incidental Other category quota over the period January 1 through 
December 31. Based on reported catch, NMFS has determined that this 
quota has been reached; reported landings as of September 8, 1998, 
total 1.06 mt. Therefore, retaining, possessing, or landing large 
medium or giant BFT under the Incidental Other category quota must 
cease at 11:30 p.m. local time on September 10, 1998.

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, 1998.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-24704 Filed 9-10-98; 2:33 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F