[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 138 (Wednesday, July 19, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 37023-37024]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-17682]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 678

[I.D. 070795B]


Atlantic Shark Fisheries; Quota Adjustment

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

ACTION: Adjustment to the second semi-annual 1995 quota for the 
Atlantic large coastal shark species group.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the catch of large coastal sharks in the 
Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico was 1,602 metric tons (mt) 
during the first semi-annual 1995 season. Because of the overharvest of 
this category quota, the second semi-annual 1995 quota is adjusted 
accordingly. The adjusted quota for the period July 1 through December 
31, 1995, is 968 metric tons (mt).

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 14, 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: C. Michael Bailey; 301-713-2347; Kevin 
B. Foster; 508-281-9260; or Michael E. Justen; 813-570-5305.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico 
shark fisheries are managed by NMFS according to the Fishery Management 
Plan (FMP) for Atlantic Sharks prepared by NMFS under authority of the 
Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et 
seq.). Fishing by U.S. vessels is governed by regulations implementing 
the FMP at 50 CFR part 678.
    Section 678.23(b)(1)(i) of the regulations provides for two semi-
annual quotas of 1,285 mt of large coastal sharks to be harvested from 
Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico waters by commercial fishermen. 
The first semi-annual quota was available for harvest from January 1 
through June 30, 1995.
    The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, is authorized 
under Sec. 678.23(c) to adjust the semi-annual quota to reflect actual 
catches during the preceding semi-annual period. Final data indicate 
that the catch from January through May 31, 1995, of the large coastal 
shark species totaled 1,602 mt, which is 317 mt more than the 
established quota. Therefore, the quota for large coastal shark species 
for the second 1995 semi-annual period is decreased from 1,285 mt to 
968 mt.

Classification

    This rule is exempt from review under E.O. 12866.


[[Page 37024]]

    Dated: July 13, 1995.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-17682 Filed 7-14-95; 9:57 am]
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