[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 7 (Monday, January 12, 1998)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 1772] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-618] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 622 [Docket No. 961204340-7087-02; I.D. 010698A] Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic; Closure AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Closure. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS closes the commercial hook-and-line fishery for king mackerel in the exclusive economic zone in the Florida west coast subzone. This closure is necessary to protect the overfished Gulf king mackerel resource. DATES: Effective 12:01 a.m., local time, January 7, 1998, through June 30, 1998. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark F. Godcharles, 813-570-5305. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The fishery for coastal migratory pelagic fish (king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, cero, cobia, little tunny, dolphin, and, in the Gulf of Mexico only, bluefish) is managed under the Fishery Management Plan for the Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic (FMP). The FMP was prepared by the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils (Councils) and is implemented by regulations at 50 CFR part 622 under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Based on the Councils' recommended total allowable catch and the allocation ratios in the FMP, NMFS implemented a commercial quota for the Gulf of Mexico migratory group of king mackerel in the Florida west coast subzone of 865,000 lb (392,357 kg). That quota was further divided into two equal quotas of 432,500 lb (196,179 kg) for vessels in each of two groups by gear types: vessels fishing with run-around gillnets and those using hook-and-line gear (50 CFR 622.42(c)(1)(i)(A)(2)). In accordance with 50 CFR 622.43(a)(3), NMFS is required to close any segment of the king mackerel commercial fishery when its quota is reached, or is projected to be reached, by publishing a notification in the Federal Register. NMFS has determined that the commercial quota of 432,500 lb (196,179 kg) for Gulf group king mackerel for vessels using hook-and-line gear in the Florida west coast subzone was reached on January 6, 1998. Accordingly, the commercial fishery for king mackerel for such vessels in the Florida west coast subzone is closed effective 12:01 a.m., local time, January 7, 1998, through June 30, 1998, the end of the fishing year. The Florida west coast subzone extends from 87 deg.31'06'' W. long. (due south of the Alabama/Florida boundary) to: (1) 25 deg.20.4' N. lat. (due east of the Dade/Monroe County, FL, boundary) through March 31, 1998; and (2) 25 deg.48' N. lat. (due west the Monroe/Collier County, FL, boundary) from April 1, 1998, through October 31, 1998. Classification This action is taken under 50 CFR 622.43(a)(3) and is exempt from review under E.O. 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: January 6, 1998. George H. Darcy, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 98-618 Filed 1-6-98; 4:24 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F