[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 91 (Thursday, May 12, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-11494]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 12, 1994]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 658

[I.D. 050594A]

 

Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico

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

ACTION: Adjustment of the beginning date of the Texas closure.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS announces an adjustment of the beginning date of the 
annual closure of the shrimp fishery in the exclusive economic zone 
(EEZ) off Texas. The closure is normally from May 15 to July 15 each 
year. This year the closure will begin on May 13, 1994, because 
biological data indicate that brown shrimp will be leaving the Texas 
estuaries earlier than normal. The Texas closure is intended to 
prohibit the harvest of brown shrimp during their major period of 
emigration from Texas estuaries to the Gulf of Mexico so the shrimp may 
reach a larger, more valuable size and to prevent the waste of brown 
shrimp that would be discarded in fishing operations because of their 
small size.

EFFECTIVE DATES: The EEZ off Texas is closed to trawl fishing from 30 
minutes after sunset, May 13, 1994, until 30 minutes after sunset, July 
15, 1994, unless otherwise announced through notification in the 
Federal Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael E. Justen, 813-893-3161.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Gulf of Mexico shrimp fishery is managed 
under the Fishery Management Plan for the Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of 
Mexico (FMP). The FMP was prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery 
Management Council and is implemented by regulations at 50 CFR part 658 
under the authority of the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.). The FMP implementing regulations at 50 
CFR 658.25 describe the Texas closure and provide for adjustments to 
the beginning and ending dates by the Director, Southeast Region, NMFS, 
under specified criteria.
    Available information meeting the criteria specified at 50 CFR 
658.25(b)(1) indicates that a closure date earlier than May 15 is 
warranted and desirable. Biological data collected by the Texas Parks 
and Wildlife Department indicate that beginning the closure on May 13, 
1994, is necessary to provide adequate protection of small brown shrimp 
emigrating from the Texas estuaries.
    Accordingly, the time and date at 50 CFR 658.25(a) for beginning 
the Texas closure is changed from 30 minutes after sunset, May 15, 
1994, to 30 minutes after sunset on May 13, 1994. During the closure, 
the area described at 50 CFR 658.25(a) is closed to all trawl fishing, 
except that a vessel may fish for royal red shrimp beyond the 100-
fathom (183-m) depth contour. The waters of Texas are also closed 
commencing 30 minutes after sunset on May 13, 1994.
    The termination date of the Texas closure will be adjusted in 
accordance with the criteria specified at 50 CFR 658.25(b) and to 
conform to the termination date of the closure in the waters of Texas. 
The adjusted termination date will be published in the Federal 
Register.

Classification

    This action is authorized by 50 CFR 658.25 and has been determined 
to be not significant for purposes of E.O. 12866.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 658

    Fisheries, Fishing, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: May 6, 1994.
Joe P. Clem,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-11494 Filed 5-9-94; 2:26 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P