[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 244 (Wednesday, December 18, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66618-66619]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-31995]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 285

[I.D. 121096A]


Atlantic Tuna Fisheries; Adjustment

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

ACTION: Catch limit adjustment.

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SUMMARY: NMFS adjusts the daily catch limit for the Angling category 
fishery for Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABT) to one fish per vessel, which 
may be from the school, large school, or small medium size class of 
ABT. This action is being taken to lengthen the fishing season and to 
ensure reasonable fishing opportunities in all geographic areas without 
risking overharvest of this category.

[[Page 66619]]

EFFECTIVE DATE: The daily catch limit adjustment is effective 12:01 
a.m., local time, January 1, 1997, until the effective date of the 1997 
Atlantic tuna annual quotas and effort controls, which will be 
published in the Federal Register.

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.
    Implementing regulations for the Atlantic tuna fisheries at 
Sec. 285.24 allow for adjustments to the daily catch limits in order to 
provide for maximum utilization of the quota spread over the longest 
possible period of time. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, 
NOAA, may increase or reduce the per angler catch limit for any size 
class bluefin tuna or may change the per angler limit to a per boat 
limit or a per boat limit to a per angler limit.
    The daily catch limit is adjusted as follows: No more than one 
bluefin tuna may be retained each day per Angling category vessel, 
which may be from the school, large school, or small medium size class.
    Based on landings reported in the southern area in February and 
March 1996, which caused the Angling category fishery to be closed 
prematurely, this action is being taken to lengthen the fishing season 
and ensure reasonable fishing opportunities in all geographic areas 
without risking overharvest.
    Subsequent adjustments to the daily catch limit, if any, shall be 
announced through publication in the Federal Register. In addition, 
anglers may call the Highly Migratory Species Information Line at 301-
713-1279 or 508-281-9305 for updates on quota monitoring and catch 
limit adjustments. Anglers aboard Charter/Headboat and General category 
vessels, when engaged in recreational fishing for school, large school, 
and small medium ABT, are subject to the same rules as anglers aboard 
Angling category vessels.

Classification

    This action is taken under 50 CFR 285.24(d)(3) and is exempt from 
review under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: December 12, 1996.
Gary Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-31995 Filed 12-17-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F