[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 27 (Thursday, February 9, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7716-7717]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-3210]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 642

[Docket No. 940710-4292; I.D. 020395A]


Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and 
South Atlantic; Closure of a Commercial Fishery

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

ACTION: Closure of a commercial fishery for king mackerel.

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SUMMARY: NMFS closes the commercial run-around gillnet fishery for king 
mackerel in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the Florida west coast 
sub-zone. This closure is necessary to protect the overfished Gulf king 
mackerel resource.

EFFECTIVE DATE: February 3, 1995, through June 30, 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.
    Catch limits recommended by the Councils and implemented by NMFS 
for the Gulf of Mexico migratory group of king mackerel set the 
commercial quota of king mackerel in the Florida west coast sub-zone at 
865,000 lb (392,357 kg). That quota was further divided into two equal 
quotas of 432,500 lb (196,179 kg) for vessels in each of two groups by 
gear types--vessels fishing with run-around gillnets and those using 
hook and line gear.
    Under 50 CFR 642.26(a), NMFS is required to close any segment of 
the king mackerel commercial fishery when its allocation or quota is 
reached, or is projected to be reached, by publishing a notification in 
the Federal Register. NMFS has determined that the commercial quota of 
432,500 lb (196,179 kg) for Gulf group king mackerel for vessels using 
run-around gillnets in the Florida west coast sub-zone was reached on 
February 3, 1995. Hence, the commercial fishery for king mackerel for 
such vessels in the Florida west coast sub-zone is closed effective 
6:00 p.m., local time, February 3, 1995, through June 30, 1995, the end 
of the fishing year.
    The Florida west coast sub-zone extends from the Alabama/Florida 
boundary (87 deg.31'06'' W. long.) to: (1) The Dade/Monroe County, 
Florida boundary (25 deg.20.4' N. lat.) from November 1 through March 
31; and (2) the Monroe/Collier County, Florida boundary (25 deg.48' N. 
lat.) from April 1 through October 31.
    NMFS previously determined that the commercial quota of king 
mackerel from the western zone of the Gulf of Mexico was reached and 
closed that segment of the fishery on September 24, 1994
    (59 FR 49356, September 28, 1994). Consequently, with this closure 
the only commercial king mackerel fishery remaining open in the Gulf of 
Mexico EEZ is the fishery in the Florida west coast sub-zone by vessels 
using hook-and-line gear.
    During the closure, no person aboard a vessel that has been issued 
a gillnet endorsement may fish for or retain king mackerel in the EEZ 
in the Florida west coast sub-zone.

Classification

    This action is taken under 50 CFR 642.26(a) and is exempt from OMB 
review under E.O. 12866.

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

    [[Page 7717]] Dated: February 3, 1995.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-3210 Filed 2-6-95; 10:13 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F