02-29893. Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries; Reopening of Directed Fishery for Loligo Squid

AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

Directed fishery reopening.

SUMMARY:

NMFS announces that commercial quota is available to allow the directed fishery for Loligo squid to reopen. Vessels issued a Federal moratorium permit to harvest Loligo squid in excess of the incidental catch allowance may resume landing of Loligo squid effective 0001 hours, December 2, 2002, through 0001 hours, December 12, 2002. The intent of this action is to allow for the full utilization of the commercial quota allocated to the Loligo squid directed fishery.

DATES:

Effective 0001 hours, December 2, 2002, through 0001 hours, December 12, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Paul H. Jones, Fishery Policy Analyst, 978-281-9273, fax [phone], e-mail [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Section 648.22 of part 50 CFR requires NMFS to close the directed Loligo squid fishery in the EEZ for the remainder of the year when 95 percent of the total annual domestic annual harvest (DAH) has been harvested. The Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, based on dealer reports and other available information, determined that 95 percent of the total DAH for Loligo squid would be harvested by November 2, 2002 (67 FR 66072, October 30, 2002). Therefore, effective 0001 hours, November 2, 2002, the directed fishery for Loligo squid was closed. However, the closure threshold level of Loligo harvest has not yet been attained. Therefore, NMFS announces that the directed Loligo squid fishery will reopen. Vessels issued a Federal moratorium permit to harvest Loligo squid in excess of the incidental catch allowance may resume fishing for, retaining and landing Loligo squid in excess of the incidental catch allowance from 0001 hours, December 2, 2002, through 0001 hours, December 12, 2002. After 0001 hours, December 12, 2002, the directed fishery for Loligo squid will be closed and vessels issued Federal permits for Loligo squid may not retain or land more than 2,500 lb (1.13 mt) of Loligo. Such vessels may not land more than 2,500 lb (1.13 mt) of Loligo during a calendar day. The directed fishery will reopen effective 0001 hours, January 1, 2003, when the 2003 quota becomes available.

Classification

This action is required by 50 CFR part 648 and is exempt from review under E.O. 12866.

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

Dated: November 20, 2002.

Richard W. Surdi,

Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.