Fishery conservation and management: Caribbean, Gulf, and South Atlantic fisheries— Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic coastal migratory pelagic resources,

[Federal Register: August 26, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 165)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 46596]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr26au99-9]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 990506120-9220-02; I.D. 082399B]

Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic; Closure

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

ACTION: Closure.

SUMMARY: NMFS closes the commercial fishery for king mackerel in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the western zone of the Gulf of Mexico. This closure is necessary to protect the overfished Gulf king mackerel resource.

DATES: The closure is effective 12:01 a.m., local time, August 25, 1999, through June 30, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Godcharles, 727-570-5305.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The fishery for coastal migratory pelagic fish (king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, cero, cobia, little tunny, dolphin, and, in the Gulf of Mexico only, bluefish) is managed under the Fishery Management Plan for the Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic (FMP). The FMP was prepared by the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils (Councils) and is implemented under the authority of the Magnuson- Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act by regulations at 50 CFR part 622.

Based on the Councils' recommended total allowable catch and the allocation ratios in the FMP, NMFS implemented a commercial quota for the Gulf of Mexico migratory group of king mackerel in the western zone of 1.05 million lb (0.48 million kg) (63 FR 8353, February 19, 1998).

Under 50 CFR 622.43(a), NMFS is required to close any segment of the king mackerel commercial fishery when its quota has been reached, or is projected to be reached, by filing a notification at the Office of Federal Register. NMFS has determined that the commercial quota of 1.05 million lb (0.48 million kg) for Gulf group king mackerel in the western zone will be reached on August 24, 1999. Accordingly, the commercial fishery for Gulf group king mackerel in the western zone is closed effective 12:01 a.m., local time, August 25, 1999, through June 30, 2000, the end of the fishing year. The boundary between the eastern and western zones is 87 deg.31'06'' W. long., which is a line directly south from the Alabama/Florida boundary.

Until July 1, 2000, no person aboard a vessel, other than a vessel operating as a charter vessel or headboat, for which a commercial permit for king or Spanish mackerel has been issued may fish for or retain king mackerel in or from the western zone in the EEZ. A vessel for which a charter vessel/headboat permit and a commercial king mackerel permit have been issued is operating as a charter vessel or headboat (for-hire vessel) when it carries a paying passenger or when more than three persons are aboard, including captain and crew. A person aboard a vessel operating as a charter vessel or headboat may fish for or retain king mackerel in or from the western zone under the bag and possession limits of 50 CFR 622.39(c)(1)(ii). However, beginning September 20, 1999, the bag limit is zero for captain and crew on for-hire vessels (64 FR 45457, August 20, 1999).

During the closure, king mackerel taken from the western zone in the EEZ, including those harvested under the bag and possession limits, may not be purchased or sold. This prohibition does not apply to trade in king mackerel from the western zone that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to the closure and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.

Classification

This action is taken under 50 CFR 622.43(a) and is exempt from review under E.O. 12866.

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

Dated: August 23, 1999. Gary C. Matlock, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.

[FR Doc. 99-22176Filed8-23-99; 4:57 pm]

BILLING CODE 3510-22-F