[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 103 (Friday, May 29, 1998)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 29355-29356] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-14248] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 678 [I.D. 051998A] Atlantic Shark Fisheries; Quota Adjustment
Agency
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
Action
Quota adjustment.
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Summary
NMFS announces that the landings of large coastal sharks in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea totaled 684.8 metric tons (mt) during the first semiannual 1998 season. Because this constitutes an overharvest of 42 mt, the second semiannual 1998 quota is reduced accordingly.
Dates
Effective May 29, 1998.
For Further Information Contact
Margo Schulze or Karyl Brewster-Geisz at 301-713-2347; or Buck Sutter at 813-570-5324.
Supplementary Information
The Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea shark fisheries are managed by NMFS according to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Atlantic Sharks prepared by NMFS under authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.). Fishing by U.S. vessels is governed by regulations implementing the FMP at 50 CFR part 678. Section 678.24(b) of the regulations provides for two semi-annual quotas of 642 mt of large coastal sharks to be harvested from the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea waters by
commercial fishermen. The first semiannual quota was available for harvest from January 1 through June 30, 1998. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, is authorized under Sec. 678.24(c) to adjust the semiannual quota to reflect actual catches during the preceding semiannual period. Harvest data submitted to NMFS indicate that the landings of large coastal sharks from January through March 31, 1998, totaled 684.8 mt, which is 42.8 mt more than the established quota. Therefore, the adjusted quota for large coastal sharks for the second 1998 semiannual period is decreased from 642 mt to 600 mt. The adjusted quota of 600 mt is available for the period July 1 through December 31, 1998.
Classification
This rule is exempt from review under E.O. 12866.
Dated: May 22, 1998. Bruce C. Morehead, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 98-14248 Filed 5-28-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F