[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 197 (Thursday, October 13, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-25316]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: October 13, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 285

[I.D. 100694B]

 

Atlantic Tuna Fisheries

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

ACTION: Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces the closure of the fishery for Atlantic bluefin 
tuna (ABT) conducted by vessels permitted in the Harpoon Boat category. 
Closure is necessary because the annual quota for this category has 
been attained.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The closure is effective from 2330 hours local time on 
October 7, 1994 through December 31, 1994.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations implemented under authority of 
the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (16 U.S.C. 971-971h) pertaining to 
harvest of Atlantic tunas by persons and vessels subject to U.S. 
jurisdiction appear at 50 CFR part 285.
    Section 285.22(b) of the regulations provides for an annual quota 
of 53 metric tons of large medium and giant size class ABT to be 
harvested from the Regulatory Area by vessels permitted in the Harpoon 
Boat category. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (AA) is 
authorized under Sec. 285.20(b)(1) to monitor the catch and landing 
statistics and, on the basis of these statistics, to project a date 
when the total catch of ABT will equal any quota under Sec. 285.22. The 
AA is further authorized under Sec. 285.20(b)(1) to prohibit fishing 
for, or retention of, ABT by the category of gear subject to the 
quotas.
    Based on landing reports, the AA has determined that the quota of 
ABT allocated for the Harpoon Boat category for 1994 will be attained 
by October 7, 1994. Fishing for, retention, possession, or landing of 
large medium or giant size class ABT by vessels in the Harpoon Boat 
category must cease at 2330 hours on October 7, 1994.

Classification

    This action is taken under the authority of 50 CFR 285.20, and is 
exempt from E.O. 12866.

    Dated: October 6, 1994.
Richard H. Schaefer,
Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-25316 Filed 10-7-94; 11:48 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F