[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] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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