[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 223 (Wednesday, November 19, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 61700]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-30294]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 970730185-7206-02; I.D. 111297D]


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Closure of the Recreational 
Red Snapper Component

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

ACTION: Closure.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS closes the recreational fishery for red snapper in the 
exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico. NMFS has 
determined that the annual recreational quota for red snapper will have 
been reached by November 26, 1997. This closure is necessary to protect 
the red snapper resource.

DATES: Closure is effective 12:01 a.m., local time, November 27, 1997, 
through December 31, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Sadler, 813-570-5305.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The reef fish fishery of the Gulf of Mexico 
is managed under the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish 
Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP). The FMP was prepared by the Gulf 
of Mexico Fishery Management Council and is implemented under the 
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act by regulations at 50 CFR part 622. Those regulations set the 
recreational quota for red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico at 4.47 
million lb (2.03 million kg) for the current fishing year, January 1 
through December 31, 1997.
    Under 50 CFR 622.43(a), NMFS is required to close the recreational 
fishery for red snapper when its quota is reached, or is projected to 
be reached, by publishing a notification to that effect in the Federal 
Register. Based on current statistics, NMFS has determined that the 
recreational quota for red snapper will have been reached by November 
26, 1997. Accordingly, the recreational fishery in the EEZ in the Gulf 
of Mexico for red snapper is closed effective 12:01 a.m., local time, 
November 27, 1997, through December 31, 1997.
    During the closure, the bag and possession limits for red snapper 
in or from the EEZ in the Gulf of Mexico are zero. In addition, in the 
Gulf of Mexico on board a vessel for which a commercial vessel permit 
for Gulf reef fish has been issued, the bag and possession limits for 
red snapper are zero, without regard to where the red snapper were 
harvested.

Classification

    This action is taken under 50 CFR 622.43(a) and is exempt from 
review under E.O. 12866.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: November 13, 1997.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 97-30294 Filed 11-14-97; 10:41 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F