[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 16 (Wednesday, January 25, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 4866]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-1776]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 642

[Docket No. 940710-4292; I.D. 011895A]


Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and 
South Atlantic; Trip Limit Reduction

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 of Atlantic group 
Spanish mackerel in the southern zone to 1,000 lb (454 kg) per day in 
or from the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). This trip limit reduction is 
necessary to protect the Atlantic Spanish mackerel resource.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The 1,000-lb (454-kg) commercial trip limit is 
effective 12:01 a.m., local time, January 20, 1995, and remains in 
effect through March 31, 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark F. Godcharles, 813-570-5305.

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 Conservation and Management Act.
    An adjusted allocation and commercial trip limits were recommended 
by the Councils and implemented by NMFS for Atlantic migratory group 
Spanish mackerel from the southern zone. As set forth at 50 CFR 
642.27(b), the adjusted allocation is 4.35 million lb (1.97 million 
kg). In accordance with 50 CFR 642.27(a)(2)(iii), after 75 percent of 
the adjusted allocation of Atlantic group Spanish mackerel from the 
southern zone is taken until 100 percent of the adjusted allocation is 
taken, Spanish mackerel in or from the EEZ in the southern zone may not 
be possessed aboard or landed from a vessel in a day in amounts 
exceeding 1,000 pounds (454 kg). In accordance with 50 CFR 
642.27(a)(2)(iv), after 100 percent of the adjusted allocation of 
Atlantic group Spanish mackerel from the southern zone is taken through 
the end of the fishing year, Spanish mackerel in or from the EEZ in the 
southern zone may not be possessed aboard or landed from a vessel in a 
day in amounts exceeding 500 lb (227 kg) per day.
    NMFS has determined that 75 percent of the adjusted allocation for 
Atlantic group Spanish mackerel from the southern zone will be taken by 
January 19, 1995. Accordingly, the 1,000-pound (454-kg) per day 
commercial trip limit applies to Spanish mackerel in or from the EEZ in 
the southern zone effective 12:01 a.m., local time, January 20, 1995, 
through March 31, 1995, unless changed by further notification in the 
Federal Register.
    The southern zone of Atlantic group Spanish mackerel extends from 
the Georgia/Florida boundary (30 deg.42'45.6'' N. lat.) southward to 
the Dade/Monroe County, Florida, boundary (25 deg.20.4' N. lat.).

Classification

    This action is taken under 50 CFR 642.27(a)(2)(iii) and (b) and is 
exempt from review under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: January 19, 1995.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-1776 Filed 1-19-95; 4:32 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F