[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 179 (Friday, September 13, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 48413]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-23449]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 285

[I.D. 090696G]


Atlantic Tuna Fisheries; Fishery Closure

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

ACTION: Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS has determined that the Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABT) 
General category quota for the September period has been attained. 
Therefore, the General category fishery for the September period will 
be closed effective at 11:30 p.m. on September 9, 1996. This action is 
being taken to prevent overharvest of the adjusted 165 metric tons (mt) 
subquota for the September period. In addition, NMFS has determined 
that the Incidental other category has attained its 1996 annual quota. 
Therefore, the Incidental other category for 1996 will be closed 
effective September 9, 1996.

EFFECTIVE DATES: The closure of the General category for the September 
period is effective 11:30 p.m. local time on September 9, 1996, through 
September 30, 1996, and the closure of the Incidental other category is 
effective 11:30 p.m. local time on September 9, 1996, through December 
31, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Kelly, 301-713-2347, or Mark 
Murray-Brown, 508-281-9260.

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. Section 285.22 subdivides the U.S. quota 
recommended by the International Commission for the Conservation of 
Atlantic Tunas among the various domestic fishing categories.
    NMFS is required, under 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 and publish a Federal 
Register announcement to close the applicable fishery.

General Category Closure

    Implementing regulations for the Atlantic tuna fisheries at 50 CFR 
285.22 provide for a quota of 159 mt of large medium and giant ABT to 
be harvested from the regulatory area by vessels fishing under the 
General category quota during the period beginning September 1 and 
ending September 30. Due to an underage of 6 mt in the August subquota, 
the September subquota was adjusted to 165 mt. Based on reported catch 
and effort, NMFS projects that this revised quota has been reached. 
Therefore, fishing for, retaining, possessing, or landing large medium 
or giant ABT under the General category quota must cease at 11:30 p.m. 
local time September 9, 1996. The General category will reopen October 
1, 1996 with a quota of 63 mt for the October-December period. Note 
that this October-December quota includes a 10-mt set aside for the New 
York Bight fishery.

Incidental Other Category Closure

    Implementing regulations for the Atlantic tuna fisheries at 50 CFR 
285.22 provide for a quota of 1 mt of large medium and giant ABT to be 
harvested from the regulatory area by vessels fishing under the 
Incidental other category quota over the period January 1 - December 
31. Based on reported catch, NMFS projects that this quota has been 
reached. Therefore, retaining, possessing, or landing large medium or 
giant ABT under the Incidental other category quota must cease at 11:30 
p.m. local time September 9, 1996.

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: September 9, 1996.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-23449 Filed 9-9-96; 4:39 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F