[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 213 (Friday, November 3, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 55805]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-27327]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 641

[Docket No. 94113-4354; I.D. 103095C]


Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Red Snapper

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

ACTION: Reopening of a fishery.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces the period during which the commercial fishery 
for red snapper in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of 
Mexico is reopened. Reopening of the fishery is necessary, because the 
1995 annual commercial quota for red snapper has not been taken. The 
fishery is reopened for a period of 36 hours.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Reopening of the commercial red snapper fishery is 
effective at 12:01 a.m., local time, November 1, 1995, through 12, 
noon, local time, November 2, 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Sadler or Michael Justen, 813-
570-5305.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The reef fish fishery of the Gulf of Mexico 
is managed under the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Fishery 
of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP). The FMP was prepared by the Gulf of Mexico 
Fishery Management Council and is implemented through regulations at 50 
CFR part 641 under the authority of the Magnuson Fishery Conservation 
and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.).
    On October 31, 1995, NMFS published an announcement proposing that 
the commercial fishery for red snapper in the EEZ of the Gulf of Mexico 
be reopened for a period of 36 hours, because the annual commercial 
quota for red snapper had not been taken. The background and rationale 
for this action and the basis for the selection of the specific dates 
of the reopening were contained in that announcement and are not 
repeated here.
    Based on projected weather conditions, the Southeast Region, NMFS, 
selected October 30 and 31, 1995, for the reopened period, and an 
announcement of those dates was filed with the Office of the Federal 
Register on October 27, 1995. However, weather conditions in much of 
the Gulf of Mexico deteriorated significantly on October 29. The U.S. 
Coast Guard advised NMFS that Gulf weather conditions as of October 30 
were unsafe for fishing operations, and recommended a 48 hour delay in 
the fishery reopening. Accordingly, the reopening of the commercial 
fishery for red snapper has been postponed for 48 hours for vessel 
safety reasons. The commercial fishery for red snapper in the EEZ of 
the Gulf of Mexico is reopened for the period specified (see EFFECTIVE 
DATE).
    During the reopening, a vessel with a red snapper endorsement on 
its reef fish permit may not land in any day red snapper in excess of 
2,000 lb (907 kg) and other permitted vessels may not land in any day 
red snapper in excess of 200 lb (91 kg).

Classification

    This action is taken under 50 CFR 641.26 and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.

    Dated: October 31, 1995.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-27327 Filed 10-31-95; 12:53 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F