[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 188 (Monday, September 29, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 50887]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-25671]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 285

[I.D. 091897A]


Atlantic Tuna Fisheries; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Angling Category

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

ACTION: Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS closes the fishery for school, large school, and small 
medium Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABT) conducted by Angling category 
fishermen in the waters off New Jersey and states north. Closure of 
this fishery is necessary because the annual quota of 57 metric tons 
(mt) of school ABT and 80 mt of large school/small medium ABT allocated 
for this subcategory in waters off New Jersey and states north is 
projected to be attained by October 1, 1997. The intent of this action 
is to prevent overharvest of the quotas established for this fishery.

DATES: Effective 11:30 p.m. local time on October 1, 1997, through 
December 31, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah McLaughlin, 301-713-2347, or 
Mark Murray-Brown, 508-281-9260.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations promulgated under the authority 
of the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.) regulating 
the harvest of ABT by persons and vessels subject to U.S. jurisdiction 
are found at 50 CFR part 285.
    Section 285.22(d)(1) of the regulations provides for annual quotas 
of 57 mt of school ABT and 80 mt of large school/small medium ABT to be 
harvested from waters off New Jersey and states north by individuals in 
the Angling category. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA 
(AA), is authorized under Sec. 285.20(b)(1) to monitor the catch and 
landing statistics and, on the basis of those statistics, to project a 
date when the catch of ABT will equal any quota under Sec. 285.22. The 
AA is further authorized under Sec. 285.20(b)(1) to prohibit fishing 
for, or retention of, Atlantic bluefin tuna by those fishing in the 
category subject to the quota when the catch of tuna equals the quota 
established under Sec. 285.22.
    The AA has determined, based on the reported catch and estimated 
fishing effort, that the annual quota of school, large school, and 
small medium ABT for those fishing in waters off New Jersey and states 
north will be attained by October 1, 1997. Fishing for, catching, 
possessing, or landing any school, large school, or small medium ABT 
(measuring 27 inches to less than 73 inches (69 cm to less than 185 
cm)) in the closed area must cease at 11:30 p.m. local time on October 
1, 1997. The southern area (the waters off Delaware and states south) 
fishery for school, large school, and small medium ABT was previously 
closed for the 1997 season (62 FR 44423, August 21, 1997; 62 FR 35447, 
July 1, 1997).
    The fishery for large medium and giant ABT (measuring 73 inches or 
greater) is not affected by this closure and remains open in all areas 
until further notice, subject to the trophy fish limit of one-per-
vessel-per-year. Such large medium or giant ABT must be reported to the 
nearest NMFS enforcement office as required under Sec. 285.24. In North 
Carolina, trophy fish must be reported to the Coast Guard at 919-995-
6403. Anglers should verify that the trophy category remains open by 
calling the NMFS 24-hour Information Line at 301-713-1279 prior to each 
fishing trip. In addition, anglers may continue to tag and release ABT 
of all sizes under the NMFS tag-and-release program (50 CFR 285.27).

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 23, 1997.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 97-25671 Filed 9-23-97; 4:59 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F