[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 43 (Monday, March 4, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8223-8224]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-4876]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 285

[I.D. 010496B]


Atlantic Tuna Fisheries; Bluefin Tuna Adjustments

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

ACTION: Fishery closure; catch limit adjustment.

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SUMMARY: As of February 25, 1996, reported recreational fishery 
landings of Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABT) larger than 73 inches (185 cm) 
totalled 3.7 metric tons (mt). The annual quota allocated to 
recreational catch of large medium and giant ABT is 4 mt. Therefore, 
landing large medium and giant ABT under the Angling category is 
prohibited effective at 11:30 p.m. on February 28, 1996. This action is 
being taken to prevent overharvest of this category. In addition, the 
daily catch limit for ABT is adjusted to one fish per vessel, which may 
be from the school, large school, or small medium size class. This 
action is being taken to lengthen the fishing season and ensure 
reasonable fishing opportunities in all geographic areas.

EFFECTIVE DATES: The closure is effective 11:30 p.m., local time, 
February 28, 

[[Page 8224]]
1996, through December 31, 1996, or until the effective date of any 
future adjustment, which will be published in the Federal Register. The 
daily catch limit adjustment is effective 11:30 p.m., local time, March 
11, 1996, through December 31, 1996, or until the effective date of any 
future adjustment, which will be published in the Federal Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Hogarth, 301-713-2347.

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.
    Implementing regulations for the Atlantic tuna fisheries at 50 CFR 
285.22 provide for a total annual quota of 4 mt of large medium and 
giant ABT to be harvested from the regulatory area by vessels permitted 
in the Angling category or the Charter/Headboat category. NMFS is 
required, under Sec. 285.20(b)(1), to monitor the catch and landing 
statistics and, on the basis of these statistics, to project a date 
when the catch of ABT will equal the quota applicable to any period.
    As of February 25, 1996, reported recreational fishery landings of 
Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABT) larger than 73 inches (185 cm) totaled 3.7 
metric tons (mt). Information on fishing effort available to NMFS 
indicates that the remaining quota is likely to be taken within the 
next few days. Therefore, fishing for, retention, possessing, or 
landing large medium or giant ABT by vessels in the Angling category or 
Charter/Headboat category must cease at 11:30 p.m., local time, 
February 28, 1996. This action is to prevent overharvest of the quota 
established for this category. Recreational anglers may continue to 
fish for large medium and giant ABT under the NMFS tag and release 
program (Sec. 285.27).
    The Angling category fishery for school, large school, and small 
medium size ABT remains open. Implementing regulations for the Atlantic 
tuna fisheries at Sec. 285.24 allow for inseason adjustments to the 
daily catch limits in order to lengthen the fishing season and ensure 
reasonable fishing opportunities for all geographic areas. The 
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, may increase or reduce the 
per angler catch limit for any size class bluefin tuna or may change 
the per angler limit to a per boat limit or a per boat limit to a per 
angler limit.
    Based on a review of daily landing trends, availability of ABT on 
the fishing grounds, and anticipated fishing effort, the daily catch 
limit is adjusted as follows: No more than one bluefin tuna may be 
retained each day per Angling category vessel, which may be from the 
school, large school, or small medium size class. Notice of adjustments 
must be published at least 5 calendar days prior to a change in daily 
catch limit becoming effective. Therefore, the catch limit adjustment 
shall take effect at 11:30 p.m., local time on March 11, 1996.
    Subsequent adjustments to the daily catch limit, if any, shall be 
announced through publication in the Federal Register. Charter/Headboat 
and General category vessels, when engaged in recreational fishing for 
school ABT, are subject to the same rules as Angling category vessels.

Classification

    This action is taken under 50 CFR 285.20(b) and 50 CFR 285.22 and 
is exempt from review under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: February 27, 1996.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 96-4876 Filed 2-27-96; 4:44 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F