[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 30 (Monday, February 14, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-3370]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: February 14, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 681

[Docket No. 940237-4037; ID. 010594A]

 

Western Pacific Crustacean Fisheries

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

ACTION: 1994 initial quota for crustaceans; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces a 1994 initial quota of 200,000 lobsters for 
the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) crustacean fishery. The quota 
was calculated according to the formula contained in Amendment 7 to the 
Fishery Management Plan for the Crustacean Fisheries of the Western 
Pacific Region (FMP). The final quota for the 1994 fishing year, which 
begins July 1, 1994, will be announced after the first month of 
fishing.

DATES: Effective July 1, 1994, through December 31, 1994, inclusive. 
Comments are invited until March 16, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to Gary Matlock, Acting Regional 
Director, Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Boulevard, suite 4200, 
Long Beach, CA 90802-4213. Copies of Amendment 7 and the associated 
background material for determining the quota may be obtained from 
Kitty Simonds, Executive Director, Western Pacific Fishery Management 
Council, 1164 Bishop Street, suite 1405, Honolulu, HI 96813.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Svein Fougner, Fisheries Management Division, Southwest Region, NMFS, 
310-980-4034; Alvin Z. Katekaru, Pacific Area Office, Southwest Region, 
NMFS, Honolulu, Hawaii 808-955-8831; or Kitty Simonds, address above, 
808-523-1368.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The crustacean fisheries of the NWHI are 
managed by the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) according to the FMP, 
which was prepared by the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council 
(Council) under the authority of the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act (Magnuson Act). Regulations affecting the U.S. fishery 
are at 50 CFR part 681.
    The annual quota for the crustacean fishery is announced in two 
steps. First, based on previous years' fishery data, sampling during 
research cruises, and other available data, the Regional Director 
determines an initial quota, which is announced in the Federal Register 
by the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA. A population model 
by which the quota is determined is described in Amendment 7 to the 
FMP. The final quota for the year is then determined based on actual 
commercial fisheries data collected during the first month of fishing. 
This actual catch and effort data, in conjunction with the previous 
information, provides a more reliable indicator of the status of the 
lobster stocks in the NWHI.
    Amendment 7 provides that an annual quota be set at a level 
permitting an average catch per unit of effort (CPUE) of 1.0 for the 
fleet. In 1992, the initial quota was set at 750,000 lobsters, which 
was subsequently reduced to 438,000 lobsters following an analysis of 
data obtained from the fishery. In 1993, there was no quota, and the 
fishery was closed for the entire year.
    The Regional Director has used the formula in Amendment 7 to set an 
initial quota for 1994 of 200,000 lobsters (spiny and slipper lobsters 
combined). Data collected during NMFS survey cruises indicate that 
recruitment to the fishery remained at about 840,000 lobsters during 
the 1992-93 period, and there were no removals of lobster by the 
fishery in 1993; therefore, there is a net addition to the stock to 
support a fishery in 1994. The model projects a commercial CPUE of 1.0 
at the start of the fishing year with an initial quota of 200,000 
lobsters. The final quota, to be announced in the Federal Register as 
soon as practicable after August 15, 1994, may increase or decrease 
substantially from the initial quota. The Southwest Region, NMFS, will 
monitor landings against the quota and issue timely reports of summary 
data. The Southwest Region also will attempt to promptly notify 
participants in the fishery of any changes in the fishery; however, 
participants are advised to contact the Southwest Region (see 
ADDRESSES) periodically to stay of changes in the quota and progress of 
the fishery toward attaining the quota. Announcement of a closure of 
the fishery due to reaching the quota will follow the procedures set 
forth in 50 CFR 681.31(c).

Classification

    This action is authorized by 50 CFR part 681.
    This rule is not subject to review under Executive Order 12866.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 681

    Fisheries, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

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

    Dated: February 8, 1994.
Rolland A. Schmitten,
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-3370 Filed 2-11-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-M