[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 162 (Tuesday, August 20, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 43027]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-21123]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 285

[I.D. 081496A]


Atlantic Tuna Fisheries; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna

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

ACTION: Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS closes the fishery for school Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABT) 
in the waters off New Jersey and states north. Closure of this fishery 
is necessary because the annual quota is projected to be attained by 
August 17, 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 
August 17 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.) regulating 
the harvest of ABT by persons and vessels subject to U.S. jurisdiction 
are found at 50 CFR part 285.
    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 school ABT will be attained by 
August 17, 1996. Fishing for, catching, possessing, or landing any 
school ABT in any area must cease at 2330 hours local time on August 
17, 1996. The Angling category fishery for bluefin tuna in the large 
school and small medium classes (47 inches to less than 59 inches (119 
cm to less than 150 cm), and 59 inches to less than 73 inches (150 cm 
to less than 185 cm) curved fork length, respectively) was previously 
closed on July 31, 1996 (61 FR 40352, August 2, 1996). However, anglers 
may continue to tag and release fish greater than 27 inches (69 cm) 
curved fork length under the NMFS tag-and-release program (50 CFR 
285.27).

Classification

    This action is taken under 50 CFR 285.20(b)(1) and is exempt from 
review under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: August 14, 1996.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 96-21123 Filed 8-15-96; 9:10 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F