Fishery conservation and management: Alaska; fisheries of Exclusive Economic Zone Tuna, Atlantic bluefin fisheries,
[Federal Register: September 11, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 176)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 48641]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11se98-20]
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 285
[I.D. 090498A]
Atlantic Tuna Fisheries; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna; Closure
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: General category closure.
SUMMARY: NMFS has determined that the 1998 Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) General category subquota for the September period will be attained by September 8, 1998. Therefore, General category fishery for September will be closed effective 11:30 p.m. on September 8, 1998. This action is being taken to prevent overharvest of the adjusted subquota of 201 metric tons (mt) for the September period.
DATES: Effective 11:30 p.m. local time on September 8, 1998, through September 30, 1998.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah McLaughlin, 301-713-2347, or Pat Scida, 978-281-9260.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations implemented under the authority of the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.) governing the harvest of BFT 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.
General Category Closure
NMFS is required, under Sec. 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 BFT will equal the quota and publish a Federal Register announcement to close the applicable fishery.
Implementing regulations for the Atlantic tuna fisheries at 50 CFR 285.22 provide for a subquota of 194 mt of large medium and giant BFT to be harvested from the regulatory area by vessels permitted in the General category during the period beginning September 1 and ending September 30. Due to an underharvest of 7 mt in the June-August period subquota, the September period subquota was adjusted to 201 mt. Based on reported catch and effort, NMFS projects that this revised subquota will be reached by September 8, 1998. Therefore, fishing for, retaining, possessing, or landing large medium or giant BFT by vessels in the General category must cease at 11:30 p.m. local time September 8, 1998. The General category will reopen October 1, 1998, with a quota of 65 mt for the October-December period. If necessary, the October- December subquota will be adjusted based on actual landings from September. While the General category is open, General category permit holders are restricted from all BFT fishing, including tag-and-release fishing, on restricted-fishing days. However, for the remainder of September, previously designated restricted-fishing days are waived; therefore, General category permit holders may tag and release BFT while the General category is closed prior to the October 1 opening, subject to the requirements of the tag and release program at 50 CFR 285.27.
The intent of this closure is to prevent overharvest of the September period subquota established for the General category.
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 4, 1998. Richard W. Surdi, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-24405Filed9-8-98; 2:00 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
