[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 183 (Thursday, September 22, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-23390]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: September 22, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 285

[I.D. 091694B]

 

Atlantic Tuna Fisheries; Bluefin Tuna

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

ACTION: Closure of the General category fishery.

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SUMMARY: NMFS has determined that the 33 metric tons (mt) set-aside for 
the late-season General category quota beginning September 15, will be 
taken by September 16, 1994. Therefore, the General category fishery 
will be closed effective at 1200 hours on Saturday, September 17, 1994, 
except that 8 mt will remain available for the New York Bight fishery 
beginning September 20, 1994. This action is being taken to prevent 
overharvest of the quota established for this fishery.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 1200 hours on September 17, 1994, through December 31, 
1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Kelly, 301-713-2347, or Raymond 
E. Baglin, 508-281-9140.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations implemented under the authority 
of the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.) governing 
the harvest of Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABT) by persons and vessels 
subject to U.S. jurisdiction are found at 50 CFR part 285. Section 
285.22 subdivides the International Commission for the Conservation of 
Atlantic Tunas recommended U.S. quota among the various domestic 
fishing categories.
    Implementing regulations for the Atlantic Tuna Fisheries at 50 CFR 
285.22(a) provide for an annual quota of 531 mt of large medium and 
giant ABT to be harvested from the Regulatory Area by vessels permitted 
in the General category. Of this amount, 65 mt are to be set aside for 
a late-season fishery beginning September 15. Based on landings 
statistics, the fishery was closed on August 15, 1994, with only 23 mt 
remaining for the late-season set-aside. A reallocation of 18 mt from 
the reserve increased the set-aside to 41 mt, of which 33 mt were 
allocated to General category fishermen from all areas to be fished 
from September 15 through September 17, and 8 mt were allocated to the 
New York Bight fishery to be fished from September 20 until the 8 mt 
are taken.
    Based on early landing reports, it has been determined that the 
late-season quota of ABT allocated for the General category will be 
exceeded by greater than 100 percent if the fishery remains open for 
the planned 3 days. However, given the need to provide sufficient 
notice to vessels already at sea, and out of equity and safety concerns 
for fishermen returning to port with legally-caught bluefin, it has 
been decided to effect the closure as of noon on Saturday.
    Fishing for, retention of, possessing, or landing large medium or 
giant ABT by vessels in the General category must cease by 1200 hours 
September 17, 1994. The intent of this action is to prevent overharvest 
of the quota to such an extent that subtractions of the overage would 
seriously and adversely impact the 1995 fishery for this category.
    This closure of the late-season General category fishery will not 
affect the 8 mt set-aside for the New York Bight or other categories 
fishing for ABT. As of this date, the Incidental, Angling, and Harpoon 
categories remain open, and the Purse Seine category is subject to 
individual quotas.

Classification

    This action is taken under 50 CFR 285.20(b) and is exempt from 
review under E.O. 12866.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.

    Dated: September 16, 1994.
Richard H. Schaefer,
Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-23390 Filed 9-16-94; 4:05 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P