Fishery conservation and management: Northeastern United States fisheries Atlantic sea scallop,
[Federal Register: November 5, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 214)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 60359]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05no99-13]
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 648
[Docket No. 990527146-9146-01; I.D. 110199B]
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Sea Scallop and Northeast Multispecies Fisheries; Georges Bank Sea Scallop Exemption Program
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Termination of the Georges Bank Sea Scallop Exemption Program.
SUMMARY: NMFS issues this announcement that the Regional Administrator, Northeast Regional Office, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 387 metric tons (MT) of the total allowable catch (TAC) of yellowtail flounder allowed in the Georges Bank Sea Scallop Exemption Program (Exemption Program) has been projected to be caught as of 0001 hours (local time), November 2, 1999, and entry into the Exemption Program is terminated. Vessels may not declare and begin an Exemption Program trip after midnight (local time), November 2, 1999. Vessels enrolled in the Exemption Program will be required to complete their trip by November 12, 1999 or when the vessel harvests 10,000 lb (4,536.0 kg) of sea scallop meats, whichever comes first. The entire exemption area remains closed to vessels not enrolled in the Exemption Program until midnight (local time), November 12, 1999.
DATES: The Georges Bank Sea Scallop Exemption Program is terminated on November 2, 1999.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Walter J. Gardiner, Fishery Management Specialist, (978) 281-9326.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 10, 1999, NMFS published a final rule to implement measures contained in Framework Adjustment 11 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and Framework Adjustment 29 to the Northeast Multispecies FMP (64 FR 31144). This rule, which allows sea scallop dredge vessels access to the Exemption Program area contains a provision to ensure that the yellowtail flounder bycatch/incidental catch remains within the 387 MT total allowable catch (TAC) level established for this fishery. Section 648.58(f)(2) specifies that this mechanism is triggered when the Regional Administrator projects that 387 MT will be caught. Further, this section stipulates that NMFS will publish notification in the Federal Register informing the public of the date of the termination of the Exemption Program. Based on an analysis of information obtained through vessel observer reports, the Regional Administrator has determined that 387 MT was reached on November 2, 1999. Vessels may not declare and begin an Exemption Program trip after midnight (local time), November 2, 1999. Therefore, vessels will no longer be allowed to elect to fish in the Exemption Program through their Vessel Monitoring System units after midnight (local time), November 2, 1999. Vessels enrolled in the Exemption Program will be required to complete their trip by November 12, 1999, or when the vessel harvests 10,000 lb (4,536.0 kg) of sea scallop meats, whichever comes first. The entire exemption area remains closed to vessels not enrolled in the Exemption Program until midnight (local time), November 12, 1999.
Classification
This action is required by 50 CFR part 648 and is exempt from review under E.O. 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: November 2, 1999. Gary C. Matlock, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-29025Filed11-2-99; 4:42 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
