[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 132 (Thursday, July 10, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36998-36999]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-17982]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 285

[I.D. 070197B]


Atlantic Tuna Fisheries; Harpoon Category

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

ACTION: Closure.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS has determined that the Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABT) 
Harpoon category annual quota for 1997 will be attained by July 7, 
1997. Therefore, the 1997 Harpoon category fishery will be closed 
effective at 11:30 p.m. on July 7, 1997. This action is being taken to 
prevent overharvest of the Harpoon category quota.


[[Page 36999]]


DATES: Effective 11:30 p.m. local time on July 7, 1997, through 
December 31, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris Rogers, 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.

Harpoon Category Closure

    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.
    Implementing regulations for the Atlantic tuna fisheries at 
Sec. 285.22 provide for a quota of 53 mt of large medium and giant ABT 
to be harvested from the regulatory area by vessels permitted in the 
Harpoon category. Based on reported catch and effort, NMFS projects 
that this quota will be reached by July 7, 1997. Therefore, fishing 
for, retaining, possessing, or landing large medium or giant ABT by 
vessels in the Harpoon category must cease at 11:30 p.m. local time 
July 7, 1997.
    The intent of this closure is to prevent overharvest of the quota 
established for the Harpoon category.

Classification

    This action is taken under Secs. 285.20(b) and 285.22 and is exempt 
from review under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: July 3, 1997.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-17982 Filed 7-3-97; 4:20 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F