[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]


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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.

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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