[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 155 (Tuesday, August 12, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 43126]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-21135]



[[Page 43126]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 285

[I.D. 080597D]


Atlantic Tuna Fisheries; Fishery Reopening

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

ACTION: Reopening.

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SUMMARY: NMFS has determined that the 1997 Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABT) 
June-August period General category subquota has not been reached. 
Therefore, NMFS reopens the General category fishery for large medium 
and giant ABT for all areas for one additional day. This action is 
being taken to allow full harvest of the General category June-August 
period subquota.

DATES: Effective 1 a.m. local time through 11:30 p.m. local time on 
Friday, August 8, 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.
    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 any quota and publish a Federal 
Register announcement to close the applicable fishery.

General Category Reopening

    Implementing regulations for the Atlantic tuna fisheries at 50 CFR 
285.22 provide for a subquota of 374 mt of large medium and giant ABT 
to be harvested from the regulatory area by vessels permitted in the 
General category during the period beginning June 1 and ending August 
31. Based on reported catch and effort, NMFS filed an action with the 
Office of the Federal Register on August 1, 1997, to close the General 
category fishery on August 3, 1997.  NMFS has determined that, due to 
lower than expected fishing effort and landings, the full 374 mt has 
not been taken. Recent average catch rates indicate that the remaining 
subquota could be taken in one fishing day. Therefore, NMFS is 
reopening the General category fishery for large medium and giant ABT 
effective 1 a.m., August 8, 1997, and closing 11:30 p.m., August 8, 
1997. Fishing for, retaining, possessing, or landing large medium or 
giant ABT by vessels in the General category may not occur prior to 1 
a.m., August 8, 1997, and must cease at 11:30 p.m. local time August 8, 
1997. Closure of this one day fishery will be strictly enforced. The 
General category will reopen September 1, 1997 with a quota of 187 mt 
for the September period. If necessary, the September subquota will be 
adjusted based on actual landings from the current period.
    The intent of this action is to allow full attainment of the June-
August period subquota established for the General category as 
specified in the Atlantic bluefin tuna effort controls final rule (62 
FR 38939, July 21, 1997).

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: August 5, 1997.
Bruce Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 97-21135 Filed 8-6-97; 4:11pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F