[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 27 (Wednesday, February 9, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-2968]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: February 9, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 642

[Docket No. 930791-3191; I.D. 123093E]

 

Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and 
South Atlantic

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

ACTION: Trip limit reduction.

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SUMMARY: NMFS reduces the commercial trip limit in the Florida east 
coast zone to 25 king mackerel per day in or from the exclusive 
economic zone (EEZ). This trip limit reduction is necessary to protect 
the overfished Gulf king mackerel resource.

EFFECTIVE DATES: The 25-fish commercial trip limit is effective 12:01 
a.m., local time, February 7, 1994, and remains in effect through March 
31, 1994, unless the commercial fishery for king mackerel in the 
Florida east coast zone is closed before March 31 by publication of a 
notice in the Federal Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mark F. Godcharles, 813-893-3161.

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 by regulations at 50 CFR part 642, under 
the authority of the Magnuson Fishery Conversation and Management Act.
    Catch limits recommended by the Councils and implemented by NMFS 
for the Gulf of Mexico migratory group of king mackerel for the current 
fishing year (July 1, 1993, through June 30, 1994, 58 FR 58509, 
November 2, 1993) set the commercial quota of king mackerel in the 
Florida east coast zone at 865,000 pounds (392,361 kg). In accordance 
with 50 CFR 642.31(a)(1), from the date that 50 percent of the zone's 
commercial quota has been harvested until a closure of the Florida east 
coast zone has been effected, king mackerel in or from the EEZ may be 
possessed aboard or landed from a permitted vessel in amounts not 
exceeding 25 per day. The 25-fish trip limit remains in effect through 
March 31, 1994, when the boundary of the Gulf migratory group of king 
mackerel shifts from the east coast to the west coast of Florida, 
unless 100 percent of the commercial quota is reached before March 31, 
in which case the commercial fishery for king mackerel in the Florida 
east coast zone is closed by publication of a notice in the Federal 
Register.
    NMFS has determined that 50 percent of the commercial quota for 
Gulf group king mackerel from the Florida east coast zone was reached 
on February 6, 1994. Accordingly, a 25-fish trip limit applies to king 
mackerel in or from the EEZ in the Florida east coast zone effective 
12:01 a.m., local time, February 7, 1994. The Florida east coast zone 
extends from the Dade/Monroe County, Florida (25 deg.20.4' N. latitude) 
to the Volusia/Flagler County, Florida boundary (29 deg.25' N. 
latitude) from November 1 through March 31.

Classification

    This action is required by 50 CFR 642.31(a)(1) and (b).

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

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 642

    Fisheries, Fishing, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: February 4, 1994.
Richard H. Schaefer,
Director of Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-2968 Filed 2-4-94; 3:21 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-M