[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 126 (Tuesday, July 1, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 35447]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-17086]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 285

[I.D. 062497A]


Atlantic Tuna Fisheries; Closure Postponement

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

ACTION: Inseason adjustment.

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SUMMARY: NMFS postpones the closure of the Angling category fishery for 
large school and small medium Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABT) in the 
southern area (Delaware and states south). NMFS previously announced a 
closure date of June 27, 1997, for this category. However, based on 
dockside intercept data, NMFS has determined that catch rates have not 
been as high as projected. This closure postponement is necessary to 
provide fishery participants a reasonable opportunity the catch the 
allocated quota. This action is being taken to extend scientific data 
collection on ABT and to further domestic management objectives for the 
Atlantic tuna fisheries.

DATES: Effective June 27, 1997, 11:30 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. local time, 
July 20, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah McLaughlin, 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 Sec. 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.
    On February 21, 1997, NMFS amended the regulations governing the 
Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABT) fisheries to provide authority for NMFS to 
close and/or reopen all or part of the Angling category in order to 
provide for further distribution of fishing opportunities throughout 
the species range (62 FR 8634, February 26, 1997). The regulatory 
amendments were necessary to increase the geographic and temporal scope 
of data collection from the scientific monitoring quota established for 
the United States. Additionally, the authority for interim closures 
facilitates a more equitable geographic and temporal distribution of 
fishing opportunities for all fishermen in the Angling category, thus 
furthering domestic management objectives for the Atlantic tuna 
fisheries.
    On March 2, 1997, based on catch estimates obtained through angler 
interviews, NMFS closed the Angling category for school, large school, 
and small medium ABT in all areas (62 FR 9376, March 3, 1997).
    Effective June 13, 1997, NMFS reopened the Angling category for all 
areas but limited to 2 weeks the opening period for large school and 
small medium ABT in the southern area (waters off Delaware and states 
south (south of 38 deg.47' N. lat.)). The 2 week opening was based on 
preliminary estimates of catch in that size category in North Carolina, 
the available quota, and expected catch rates of large school and small 
medium ABT. NMFS has since determined that catch rates in the southern 
area are lower than originally projected and that the closure date 
should be postponed until July 20, 1997. This action does not apply to 
the northern Angling category fishery for large school and small medium 
ABT, and the Angling category fishery for school ABT in all areas, 
which remain open until further notice.

Catch Limit

    NMFS previously adjusted the daily catch limit for the Angling 
category fishery for ABT to one fish per vessel (61 FR 66618, December 
18, 1996), which may be from the school, large school, or small medium 
size class (measuring 27-73''). Due to increased participation in the 
fishery and anticipated catch rates, this daily catch limit remains in 
effect. Additionally, the catch limit for trophy size class ABT (large 
medium and giant ABT, measuring 73'' and greater) remains at one per 
vessel per year. Any changes to these catch limits will be published in 
the Federal Register and posted on the 24-hour Highly Migratory Species 
Information Lines (301-713-1279; 508-281-9305; 1-888-USA-TUNA). Anglers 
should consult the information lines prior to each fishing trip for 
updates on closures and catch limits.
    This action is being taken to facilitate a wide distribution of 
fishing opportunities for all fishermen in the Angling category, thus 
furthering domestic management objectives for the Atlantic tuna 
fisheries. This action also facilitates data collection from the 
scientific monitoring quota established for the United States over the 
greatest geographic and temporal range.

Classification

    This action is taken under 50 CFR 285.20(b)(1) and is exempt from 
review under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: June 25, 1997.
Bruce Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 97-17086 Filed 6-25-97; 4:42 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F