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

[Federal Register: February 16, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 30)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 7556-7557]

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

[DOCID:fr16fe99-14]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 961204340-7087-02; I.D. 020999F]

Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic; Trip Limit Reduction

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

ACTION: Trip limit reduction.

SUMMARY: NMFS reduces the commercial trip limit of Atlantic group Spanish mackerel in or from the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the southern zone to 1,500 lb (680 kg) per day. This trip limit reduction is necessary to protect the Atlantic Spanish mackerel resource.

DATES: This rule is effective 6:00 a.m., local time, February 10, 1999, through March 31, 1999, unless changed by further notification in the Federal Register.

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.

An adjusted quota and commercial trip limits were recommended by the Councils and implemented by NMFS for Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel from the southern zone. As set forth at 50 CFR 622.44(b)(2), (63 FR 8353, February 19, 1998), the adjusted quota is 3.75 million lb (1.70 million kg). In accordance with 50 CFR 622.44(b)(1)(ii)(C), after 75 percent of the adjusted quota of Atlantic group Spanish mackerel from the southern

[[Page 7557]]

zone is taken until 100 percent of the adjusted quota is taken, Spanish mackerel in or from the EEZ in the southern zone may not be possessed on board or landed from a vessel in a day in amounts exceeding 1,500 lb (680 kg). The southern zone for Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel extends from 30 deg.42'45.6'' N. lat., which is a line directly east from the Georgia/Florida boundary, to 25 deg.20.4' N. lat., which is a line directly east from the Dade/Monroe County, FL, boundary.

NMFS has determined that 75 percent of the adjusted quota for Atlantic group Spanish mackerel from the southern zone was taken by February 8, 1999. Accordingly, the 1,500-lb (680-kg) per day commercial trip limit applies to Spanish mackerel in or from the EEZ in the southern zone effective 6:00 a.m., local time, February 10, 1999, through March 31, 1999, unless changed by further notification in the Federal Register.

Classification

This action is taken under 50 CFR 622.44(b)(2)and is exempt from review under E.O. 12866.

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

Dated: February 9, 1999. Gary C. Matlock, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.

[FR Doc. 99-3561Filed2-9-99; 5:05 pm]

BILLING CODE 3510-22-F