[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 244 (Wednesday, December 20, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65597-65598]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-30822]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 285

[I.D. 121495A]


Atlantic Tuna Fisheries; Bluefin Tuna

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

ACTION: Closure of the General category fishery.

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SUMMARY: NMFS has determined that the 10 metric tons (mt) of Atlantic 
bluefin tuna (ABT) set aside for the late-season General category 
fishery in the New York Bight beginning October 1, 1995, will have been 
taken by December 15, 1995. Therefore, the General category fishery 
will be closed effective at 2330 hours (11:30 pm) on Friday, December 
15, 1995. This action is being taken to prevent overharvest of the 
quota established for this fishery.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 2330 hours on December 15, 1995, through
    December 31, 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Kelly, 301-713-2347, or Kevin 
Foster, 508-281-9260.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations implemented under the authority 
of the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.) governing 
the harvest of ABT by persons and vessels subject to U.S. jurisdiction 
are found at 50 CFR part 285. Section 285.22 subdivides the 
International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas 
recommended U.S. quota among the various domestic fishing categories.
    Implementing regulations for the Atlantic Tuna Fisheries at 50 CFR 
285.22(a) provide for an adjusted annual quota of 550 mt of large 
medium and giant ABT to be harvested from the Regulatory Area by 
vessels permitted in the General category. Based on landings 

[[Page 65598]]
statistics, the fishery was closed on September 12, 1995 (60 FR 48052, 
September 18, 1995). A transfer of 10 mt from the longline-south 
Incidental subcategory to the General category adjusted the General 
category quota to 560 mt (60 FR 51932, October 4, 1995). Furthermore, 
the 10 mt transfer established a geographic set-aside for the New York 
Bight fishery to be fished from October 1 until the 10 mt are taken.
    Based on landings statistics, NMFS has determined that the late-
season quota of ABT allocated for General category vessels fishing in 
the New York Bight must be closed. Fishing for, retention of, 
possession of, or landing large medium or giant ABT by vessels in the 
General category must cease by 2330 hours December 15, 1995. This 
action is being taken to prevent overharvest of the quota.
    This closure of the late-season General category fishery will not 
affect other categories fishing for ABT. The Incidental catch 
categories remain open.

Classification

    This action is taken under 50 CFR 285.20(b) and is exempt from 
review under E.O. 12866.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.

    Dated: December 14, 1995.
Richard H. Schaefer,
Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-30822 Filed 12-14-95; 4:57 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F