[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 179 (Tuesday, September 16, 1997)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 48497] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-24578] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 285 [I.D. 090897C] Atlantic Tuna Fisheries; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna General Category AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Closure. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS has determined that the 1997 Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABT) September period General category subquota will be attained by September 13, 1997. Therefore, the General category fishery for September will be closed effective at 11:30 p.m. on September 13, 1997. This action is being taken to prevent overharvest of the adjusted 195 metric tons (mt) subquota for the September period. DATES: Effective 11:30 p.m. local time on September 13, 1997, through September 30, 1997. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah McLaughlin, 301-713-2347, or Pat Scida, 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 (ICCAT) among the various domestic fishing categories. General 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 50 CFR 285.22 provide for a subquota of 187 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 September 1 and ending September 30. Due to an underharvest of 8 mt in the June-August period subquota, the September period subquota was adjusted to 195 mt. Based on reported catch and effort, NMFS projects that this revised subquota will be reached by September 13, 1997. Therefore, fishing for, retaining, possessing, or landing large medium or giant ABT by vessels in the General category must cease at 11:30 p.m. local time September 13, 1997. For the remainder of September, previously designated restricted-fishing days are waived, and anglers aboard General category vessels may fish under rules applicable for the Angling category. The General category will reopen October 1, 1997 with a quota of 72 mt for the October-December period. Note that this October-December period subquota includes a 10-mt set aside for the New York Bight fishery. If necessary, the October-December period subquota will be adjusted based on actual landings from the current period. The intent of this closure is to prevent overharvest of the September period subquota established for the General category. 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: September 10, 1997. Gary C. Matlock, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 97-24578 Filed 9-11-97; 2:56 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F