[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 33 (Friday, February 16, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6175-6176]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-3520]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 642

[Docket No. 950725189-5260-02; I.D. 021296B]


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

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

ACTION: Closure.

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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: The closure is effective 12 noon, local time, February 
12, 1996, through June 30, 1996.

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 

[[Page 6176]]
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 12, 1996. Hence, the commercial fishery for king mackerel for 
such vessels in the Florida west coast sub-zone is closed effective 
12:00 noon, local time, February 12, through June 30, 1996, 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, FL, 
boundary (25 deg.20.4' N. lat.) from November 1 through March 31; and 
(2) the Monroe/Collier County, FL, boundary (25 deg.48' N. lat.) from 
April 1 through October 31.

Classification

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

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

    Dated: February 12, 1996.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 96-3520 Filed 2-12-96; 3:44 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F