[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 15 (Thursday, January 23, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 3490]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-1588]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 285

[I.D. 011697B]


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) 
Incidental Other category has attained its 1997 annual quota. 
Therefore, the Incidental Other category for 1997 will be closed.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The closure of the Incidental Other category is 
effective 11:30 p.m. local time on January 17, 1997, until the 
effective date of a quota adjustment, if any, 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. 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.

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 has determined that this quota has 
been reached; reported landings as of January 16, 1997, total 1.23 mt. 
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 on January 17, 1997, until the effective date of a quota 
adjustment, if any, which will be published in the Federal Register.

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: January 16, 1997.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-1588 Filed 1-17-97; 2:48 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F