[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 246 (Tuesday, December 23, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 67010]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-33385]



DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 940246-4137; I.D. 121697D]


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Snapper-Grouper Fishery off the Southern Atlantic States; Snowy 
Grouper; Commercial Trip Limit Reduction

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

ACTION: Trip limit reduction.

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SUMMARY: NMFS reduces the commercial trip limit for snowy grouper in 
the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off the southern Atlantic states to 
300 lb (136 kg). This trip limit reduction is necessary to protect the 
snowy grouper resource.

DATES: Effective 12:01 a.m., local time, December 20, 1997, through 
December 31, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Eldridge, 813-570-5305.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The snapper-grouper fishery off the southern 
Atlantic states is managed under the Fishery Management Plan for the 
Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (FMP). The FMP was 
prepared by the South Atlantic 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.
    The commercial quota for snowy grouper, one of the species in the 
snapper-grouper complex, is 344,508 lb (156,266 kg), gutted weight, 
each fishing year. The fishing year is January 1 through December 31. 
In accordance with 50 CFR 622.44(c)(2), a commercial trip limit of 
2,500 lb (1,134 kg) applies until the quota is reached. When the quota 
is reached, or is projected to be reached, NMFS is required to reduce 
the commercial trip limit to 300 lb (136 kg), through the end of the 
fishing year.
    Based on current statistics, NMFS has projected that the commercial 
quota for snowy grouper will be reached on December 19, 1997. 
Accordingly, the commercial trip limit for snowy grouper in or from the 
EEZ off the southern Atlantic states is reduced to 300 lb (136 kg) 
effective 12:01 a.m., local time, December 20, 1997, through December 
31, 1997. During this period, no more than 300 lb (136 kg), round 
weight or gutted weight, of snowy grouper may be possessed on board or 
landed, purchased, or sold from a vessel that has a valid commercial 
permit for snapper-grouper per day. The possession of a valid 
commercial permit notwithstanding, the bag and possession limits apply 
when a vessel is operating as a charter vessel or headboat.

Classification

    This action is taken under 50 CFR 622.43(a) and 622.44(c) and is 
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: December 16, 1997.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 97-33385 Filed 12-18-97; 11:43 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F