[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 182 (Tuesday, September 21, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 51079]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-24566]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 635
[I.D. 091599A]
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fisheries; Atlantic Bluefin
Tuna
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Adjustment of General category daily retention limit on
previously designated restricted-fishing days.
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SUMMARY: NMFS has determined that the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT)
General category restricted-fishing day (RFD) schedule should be
adjusted, i.e., certain RFDs should be waived, in order to allow for
maximum utilization of the General category quota. Therefore, NMFS
increases the daily retention limit from zero to one large medium or
giant BFT on the following previously-designated RFDs for 1999:
September 19, 20, 26, and 27, and October 1.
DATES: Effective September 16, 1999.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pat Scida or Brad McHale, 978-281-
9260.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations implemented under the authority
of the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.) and the
Magnuson-Stevens Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) governing the harvest of
BFT by persons and vessels subject to U.S. jurisdiction are found at 50
CFR part 635. General category effort controls (including time-period
subquotas and RFDs) are specified annually under Secs. 635.23(a) and
635.27(a). The 1999 General category effort controls were implemented
June 1, 1999 (64 FR 29806, June 3, 1999).
Adjustment of Daily Retention Limit for Selected Dates
Under Sec. 635.23 (a)(4), NMFS may increase or decrease the daily
retention limit of large medium and giant BFT over a range from zero
(on RFDs) to a maximum of three per vessel to allow for maximum
utilization of the quota for BFT.
Based on a review of dealer reports, daily landing trends, and the
availability of BFT on the fishing grounds, NMFS has determined that
adjustment to the RFD schedule, and, therefore, an increase of the
daily retention limit for selected, previously designated RFDs, is
necessary. Therefore, NMFS adjusts the daily retention limit for
September 19, 20, 26, and 27, and October 1, to one large medium or
giant BFT per vessel. October 1 was designated as an RFD to facilitate
enforcement of the October reopening after an anticipated closure in
September. However, since the September subquota will most likely not
be reached, it is no longer necessary for October 1 to be an RFD. Note
that NMFS is not waiving the ``market-smart'' RFDs on Wednesdays in
September that correspond to Japanese market closures (September 22 and
29).
The intent of this adjustment is to allow for maximum utilization
of the General category quota (specified under Sec. 635.27(a)) in order
to help achieve optimum yield in the fishery, to collect a broad range
of data for stock monitoring purposes, and to be consistent with the
objectives of the HMS FMP.
Classification
This action is taken under Sec. 635.23(a)(4) and is exempt from
review under E.O. 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. and 1801 et seq.
Dated: September 16, 1999.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-24566 Filed 9-16-99; 2:01 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
