[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 7 (Friday, January 10, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1402-1403]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-610]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 940553-4223; I.D. 010697B]


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South 
Atlantic; Closure

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

ACTION: Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS closes the commercial run-around gillnet fishery for king 
mackerel in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the Florida west coast 
sub-zone. This closure is necessary to protect the overfished Gulf king 
mackerel resource.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The closure is effective 12:00 noon, local time, 
January 7, 1997, through June 30, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark F. Godcharles, 813-570-5305.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The fishery for coastal migratory pelagic 
fish

[[Page 1403]]

(king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, cero, cobia, little tunny, dolphin, 
and, in the Gulf of Mexico only, bluefish) is managed under the Fishery 
Management Plan for the Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf 
of Mexico and South Atlantic (FMP). The FMP was prepared by the Gulf of 
Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils (Councils) and is 
implemented by regulations at 50 CFR part 622 under the authority of 
the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.
    Based on the Councils' recommended total allowable catch and the 
allocation ratios in the FMP, NMFS implemented a commercial quota for 
the Gulf of Mexico migratory group of king mackerel in the Florida west 
coast sub-zone of 865,000 lb (392,357 kg). That quota was further 
divided into two equal quotas of 432,500 lb (196,179 kg) for vessels in 
each of two groups by gear types--vessels fishing with run-around 
gillnets and those using hook-and-line gear (50 CFR 622.42 
(c)(1)(i)(A)(2)).
    In accordance with 50 CFR 622.43(a)(3), NMFS is required to close 
any segment of the king mackerel commercial fishery when its allocation 
or quota is reached, or is projected to be reached, by publishing a 
notification in the Federal Register. NMFS has determined that the 
commercial quota of 432,500 lb (196,179 kg) for Gulf group king 
mackerel for vessels using run-around gillnets in the Florida west 
coast sub-zone was reached on January 7. Hence, the commercial fishery 
for king mackerel for such vessels in the Florida west coast sub-zone 
is closed effective 12:01 noon, local time, January 7, 1997, through 
June 30, 1997, the end of the fishing year.
    The Florida west coast sub-zone extends from 87 deg.31'06'' W. 
long. (due south of the Alabama/Florida boundary) to: (1) 25 deg.20.4' 
N. lat. (due east of the Dade/Monroe County, FL, boundary) through 
March 31, 1997; and (2) 25 deg.48' N. lat. (due west the Monroe/Collier 
County, FL, boundary) from April 1, 1997, through October 31, 1997.

Classification

    This action is taken under 50 CFR 622.43(a)(3) and is exempt from 
review under E.O. 12866.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: January 6, 1997.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-610 Filed 1-7-97; 3:07 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F