[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 179 (Tuesday, September 16, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 48497]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-24578]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 285
[I.D. 090897C]
Atlantic Tuna Fisheries; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna General Category
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Closure.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS has determined that the 1997 Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABT)
September period General category subquota will be attained by
September 13, 1997. Therefore, the General category fishery for
September will be closed effective at 11:30 p.m. on September 13, 1997.
This action is being taken to prevent overharvest of the adjusted 195
metric tons (mt) subquota for the September period.
DATES: Effective 11:30 p.m. local time on September 13, 1997, through
September 30, 1997.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah McLaughlin, 301-713-2347, or Pat
Scida, 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 (ICCAT) among the various domestic fishing categories.
General Category Closure
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 ABT will equal the quota and 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 187 mt of large medium and giant ABT
to be harvested from the regulatory area by vessels permitted in the
General category during the period beginning September 1 and ending
September 30. Due to an underharvest of 8 mt in the June-August period
subquota, the September period subquota was adjusted to 195 mt. Based
on reported catch and effort, NMFS projects that this revised subquota
will be reached by September 13, 1997. Therefore, fishing for,
retaining, possessing, or landing large medium or giant ABT by vessels
in the General category must cease at 11:30 p.m. local time September
13, 1997. For the remainder of September, previously designated
restricted-fishing days are waived, and anglers aboard General category
vessels may fish under rules applicable for the Angling category. The
General category will reopen October 1, 1997 with a quota of 72 mt for
the October-December period. Note that this October-December period
subquota includes a 10-mt set aside for the New York Bight fishery. If
necessary, the October-December period subquota will be adjusted based
on actual landings from the current period.
The intent of this closure is to prevent overharvest of the
September period subquota established for the General category.
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 10, 1997.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-24578 Filed 9-11-97; 2:56 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
