[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 66 (Monday, April 7, 1997)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 16656-16657] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-8755] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 678 [I.D. 031797B] Atlantic Shark Fisheries; Large Coastal Shark Species AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Closure. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS is closing the commercial fishery for large coastal sharks conducted by vessels with a Federal Atlantic shark permit in the Western North Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. This action is necessary because the semiannual quota of 642 metric tons (mt) for the period January 1 through June 30, 1997 has been exceeded. EFFECTIVE DATE: The closure is effective from 11:30 p.m. local time April 7, 1997, through June 30, 1997. [[Page 16657]] FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: C. Michael Bailey, John Kelly or Margo B. Schulze, 301-713-2347. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Atlantic shark fishery is managed by NMFS according to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Atlantic Sharks prepared by NMFS under authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.). Fishing by U.S. vessels is governed by regulations implementing the FMP at 50 CFR part 678. Section 678.24(b) of the regulations provides for two semiannual quotas of large coastal sharks to be harvested from Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico waters by commercial fishermen. The first semiannual quota of 642 mt is available for harvest from January 1 through June 30, 1997. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (AA), is required under Sec. 678.25 to monitor the catch and landing statistics and, on the basis of these statistics, to determine when the catch of Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico sharks will equal any quota under Sec. 678.24(b). When shark harvests reach, or are projected to reach, a quota established under Sec. 678.24(b), the AA is further required under Sec. 678.25 to close the fishery. The AA has determined, based on the reported catch and other relevant factors, that the semiannual quota for the period January 1 through June 30, 1997, for large coastal sharks, in or from the Western North Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, had been attained as of March 14, 1997. During the closure retention of large coastal sharks from the management unit is prohibited for vessels issued a permit under Sec. 678.4, unless the vessel is operating as a charter vessel or headboat, in which case the vessel limit per trip is two large coastal sharks. Also, the sale, purchase, trade, or barter or attempted sale, purchase, trade, or barter of carcasses and/or fins of large coastal sharks harvested by a person aboard a vessel that has been issued a permit under Sec. 678.4, is prohibited, except for those that were harvested, offloaded, and sold, traded, or bartered prior to the closure, and were held in storage by a dealer or processor. Vessels that have been issued a Federal permit under Sec. 678.4 are reminded that, as a condition of permit issuance, the vessel may not retain a large coastal shark during the closure, except as provided by Sec. 678.24(a). Fishing for pelagic and small coastal sharks may continue. The recreational fishery is not affected by this closure. Classification This action is taken under 50 CFR part 678 and is exempt from review under E.O. 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: April 1, 1997. Gary C. Matlock, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 97-8755 Filed 4-2-97; 8:54 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P