[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 150 (Friday, August 2, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 40352]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-19635]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 285

[I.D. 072996C]


Atlantic Tuna Fisheries; Closure

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

ACTION: Fishery closure.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS closes the Angling category fishery for large school and 
small medium Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABT). Closure of this fishery is 
necessary because the annual quota of 100 metric tons (mt) of large 
school and small medium ABT allocated to the Angling category is 
projected to be attained by July 31, 1996. The intent of this action is 
to prevent overharvest of the quota established for this fishery.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The closure is effective from 2330 hours local time 
July 31 through December 31, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill 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 large school and small 
medium ABT (measuring between 47 inches (119 cm) and 73 inches (185 cm) 
total curved fork length) to be harvested from the regulatory area. The 
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (AA), is authorized under 
Sec. 285.20(b)(1) to monitor the catch and landing statistics and, on 
the basis of those statistics, to project a date when the catch of ABT 
will equal any quota under Sec. 285.22. The AA is further authorized 
under Sec. 285.20(b)(1) to prohibit fishing for, or retention of, ABT 
by those fishing in the category subject to the quota when the catch of 
tuna equals the quota established under Sec. 285.22. The AA has 
determined, based on the reported catch and estimated fishing effort, 
that the annual quota of large school and small medium ABT will be 
attained by July 31, 1996. Fishing for, catching, possessing, or 
landing any large school or small medium ABT must cease by 2330 hours 
local time on July 31, 1996.
    However, anglers may continue to fish for ABT 47 inches (119 cm) or 
greater under the NMFS tag and release program (50 CFR 285.27). The 
Angling category fishery for school ABT (measuring between 27 inches 
(69 cm) and 47 inches (119 cm)) in the waters off Delaware and south 
was previously closed on July 25, 1996 (61 FR 38656, July 25, 1996). 
The Angling category fishery for school ABT for waters off New Jersey 
and states north (north of 38 deg.47' N. lat.) is not affected by this 
closure, and continues to remain open.

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: July 29, 1996.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 96-19635 Filed 7-29-96; 5:02 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F