[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 141 (Monday, July 22, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 37842-37843]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-18564]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 630

[I.D. 062796B]


Atlantic Swordfish Fishery; Drift Gillnet Closure Postponement

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

ACTION: Closure postponement.

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SUMMARY: NMFS postpones the closure of the drift gillnet fishery for 
swordfish in the Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico and 
Caribbean Sea. On July 9, 1996, NMFS announced a closure date of July 
17, 1996. However, NMFS has determined that the adjusted second 
semiannual subquota for swordfish that may be harvested by drift 
gillnet will not be reached on or before July 17, 1996, as was 
previously determined. This closure postponement will allow vessels to 
continue to fish and is necessary to allow the quota to be reached.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This postponement action is effective July 17, 1996. 
The closure that published on July 9, 1996 at 61 FR 35971 is postponed 
until 2330 hours, local time, July 19, 1996, and will be in effect 
through 2400 hours, local time, November 30, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ronald G. Rinaldo, 301-713- 2347.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Atlantic swordfish fishery is managed 
under the authority of the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) and the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (16 
U.S.C. 971 et seq.).
    The 1996 swordfish Total Allowable Catch (TAC) allows for an 
Atlantic swordfish drift gillnet subquota of 22.5 mt dressed weight 
(49,604 lb) for the January 1 to June 30 period, and a subquota of 
23.45 mt dressed weight (51,698 lb) for the July 1 to November 30 
period. NMFS estimates that approximately 33,183 lb (15.0 mt) were 
caught during the first period subquota. As required under applicable 
regulations, the remaining portion of the

[[Page 37843]]

first period subquota (16,421 lb) has been carried over to the second 
period, for an adjusted second period subquota of 30.9 mt dressed 
weight, or 68,119 lb. NMFS estimates that approximately 13,818 lb 
remain of the adjusted second period subquota as of this date.
    Based on projected catch rates, NMFS had previously announced a 
closure date of July 17, 1996 (61 FR 35971). Because of Hurricane 
Bertha, many of the vessels were unable to fish for a number of days 
and the quota is not expected to be reached on or before July 17, 1996, 
as was previously estimated. Given the approximately 13,818 lb remains 
of the second period subquota and current fishery catches averaging 
approximately 7,000 lb per day, NMFS estimates that the quota will be 
reached on or before July 19, 1996. Hence, action is being taken to 
postpone the fishery closure to be effective 2330 hours on July 19, 
1996 through 2400 hours November 30, 1996.
    During this closure of the drift gillnet fishery: (1) No one aboard 
a vessel using or having on board a drift gillnet may fish for 
swordfish from the North Atlantic swordfish stock; (2) no more than two 
swordfish per trip may be possessed on board vessel using or having on 
board a drift gillnet in the North Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf 
of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, north of 5 deg. N. lat., or landed in an 
Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, or Caribbean coastal state.

Classification

    This action is required by 50 CFR 630.25(a) and is exempt from 
review under E.O. 12866.

    Dated: July 17, 1996.
Richard H. Schaefer,
Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 96-18564 Filed 7-17-96; 4:47 pm]
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