[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 20, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 11336]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-6595]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 285

[I.D. 031296A]


Atlantic Tuna Fisheries; Closure

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

ACTION: Fishery closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS has determined that the 1996 Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABT) 
Angling category quota for fish between 47 inches (119 cm) and 73 
inches (185 cm) has been reached. Therefore, landing large school and 
small medium ABT under the Angling category is prohibited effective at 
11:30 p.m. on March 17, 1996. This action is being taken to prevent 
overharvest of this category.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The closure is effective 11:30 p.m., local time, March 
17, 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, 301-713-2339.

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 large school and small 
medium ABT to be harvested from the regulatory area. 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.
    Preliminary information on total angling effort and catch of ABT 
between 47 inches (119 cm) and 73 inches (185 cm) indicates that for 
January and February, 1996, landings may total nearly 100 mt. 
Information available to NMFS on fishing effort and catch rates since 
March 1, 1996, indicates that the remaining quota is likely to be taken 
by March 17, 1996. Therefore, fishing for, retention, possessing, or 
landing large school or small medium ABT must cease at 11:30 p.m., 
local time, March 17, 1996. This action is to prevent overharvest of 
the quota established for this category.
    Anglers may continue to fish for and land school size ABT, 
measuring 27 inches (69 cm) to less than 47 inches (119 cm) total 
curved fork length. Retention of school ABT is subject to the revised 
bag limit of one fish per boat per day as set in a prior document (61 
FR 8223, March 4, 1996). Anglers may also continue to fish for ABT 47 
inches (119 cm) or greater under the NMFS tag and release program (50 
CFR 285.27).

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: March 14, 1996.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 96-6595 Filed 3-14-96; 3:56 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F