[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 58 (Wednesday, March 26, 1997)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 14352] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-7717] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 640 [Docket No. 970318058-7058-01; I.D. 022597A] RIN 0648-XX82 Spiny Lobster Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic; Rescission of Control Date AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of rescission of control date. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils (Councils) believe that changes in the management of the spiny lobster fishery makes a previously announced control date obsolete. Therefore, on behalf of the Councils, NMFS announces that the date of January 15, 1986, is no longer considered a control date for entry into the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic spiny lobster fishery. EFFECTIVE DATE: March 26, 1997. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Georgia Cranmore, 813-570-5305. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The spiny lobster fishery is managed under the Fishery Management Plan for the Spiny Lobster Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic (FMP). The FMP was prepared by the Councils and is implemented through regulations at 50 CFR part 640, under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. A control date of January 15, 1986, was established for the spiny lobster fishery in anticipation of a possible Federal limited access program for this fishery (51 FR 5713, February 18, 1986). The notice announcing this control date stated that anyone entering the fishery after January 15, 1986, was not assured of continued participation if a limited access system was adopted. No limited access program was developed by the Councils. Instead, the Councils adopted Florida's management regime for the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off Florida. The commercial fishery is confined primarily to Florida waters and the EEZ off Florida. Commercial and recreational spiny lobster landings outside Florida are negligible. In 1992, NMFS adopted for the EEZ off Florida, Florida's spiny lobster trap certificate, trap reduction, and trap identification programs (57 FR 56516, November 30, 1992). In 1994, NMFS removed the requirement for Federal vessel permits in the commercial fishery in the EEZ off Florida (59 FR 53118, October 21, 1994). The South Atlantic Council determined (at its November 1996 meeting) and the Gulf Council determined (at its July 1996 meeting) that these changes in the management of the spiny lobster fishery make the control date obsolete. Therefore, NMFS announces the rescission of the January 15, 1986, control date with respect to this fishery. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: March 20, 1997. C. Karnella, Acting Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 97-7717 Filed 3-25-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F