[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 36 (Tuesday, February 24, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9158-9159]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-4548]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 970930235-8028-02; I.D. 021798E]


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South 
Atlantic; Fishery Openings

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

ACTION: Opening of Fisheries.

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[[Page 9159]]

SUMMARY: NMFS announces openings of three fisheries for the Gulf 
migratory group of king mackerel in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) 
of the eastern and western zones of the Gulf of Mexico. Two are in the 
Florida west coast subzone of the eastern zone, i.e., the run-around 
gillnet fishery and the hook-and-line fishery, and the third fishery is 
in the western zone. These openings result from implementation of a 
recent framework action that increased total allowable catch (TAC) and 
commercial quotas for Gulf group king mackerel for the 1997/98 fishing 
year.

DATES: Effective 12:01 a.m., local time, February 20, 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 under the authority of the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act by regulations at 50 
CFR part 622.
    In accordance with the framework procedures of the FMP, the 
Councils recommended to increase TAC for Gulf group king mackerel from 
7.8 to 10.6 million lb (3.54 to 4.81 million kg). NMFS published a 
proposed rule on October 14, 1997 (62 FR 53278) and a final rule on 
February 19, 1998, in the Federal Register. Accordingly, the commercial 
quota was increased from 2.50 million lb (1.13 million kg) to 3.39 
million lb (1.54 million kg) with corresponding quota increases for the 
associated zones and subzones. Quotas for the eastern and western zones 
were increased from 1.73 million lb (0.78 million kg) to 2.34 million 
lb (1.06 million kg) and from 0.77 million lb (0.35 million kg) to 1.05 
million lb (0.48 million kg), respectively. The eastern zone quota is 
divided into equal quotas for the Florida west and east coast subzones 
that increased from 865,000 lb (392,357 kg) to 1.17 million lb (0.53 
million kg). The quota for the Florida west coast subzone is further 
divided, based upon gear types, into two equal quotas that increased 
from 432,500 (196,179 kg) to 585,000 lb (265,352 kg) for vessels using 
run-around gillnets and those using hook-and-line gear (50 CFR 
622.42(c)(1)(i)(A)(2)). These increased commercial quotas are 
applicable for the 1997/98 fishing year, which began on July 1, 1997.
    Prior to implementing the increased quotas, NMFS, in accordance 
with 50 CFR 622.43(a)(3), closed three commercial fisheries for Gulf 
group king mackerel based on the former, lower quotas. NMFS closed the 
commercial fishery in the western zone on August 2, 1997 (62 FR 42417, 
August 7, 1997). Similarly, NMFS closed the two commercial fisheries in 
the Florida west coast subzone. The commercial hook-and-line fishery 
was closed January 7, 1998 (63 FR 1772, January 12, 1998) and the 
commercial run-around gillnet fishery was closed at 12:00 noon, local 
time, February 3, 1998 (63 FR 6109, February 6, 1998). All three 
fisheries were closed through June 30, 1998, the end of the fishing 
year.
    As a result of implementing the increased quotas for Gulf group 
king mackerel, unharvested balances are available for all three of the 
previously closed fisheries for the 1997/98 fishing year. Therefore, 
NMFS opens the commercial fisheries for Gulf group king mackerel in the 
western zone and in the Florida west coast subzone effective 12:01 
a.m., local time, February 20, 1998. The fisheries will remain open 
under applicable trip limits until NMFS determines that the quota 
balances have been taken and the increased quota levels have been 
reached.
    During the opening, a vessel fishing in the Florida west coast 
subzone under the run-around gillnet quota or hook-and-line quota may 
not exceed the commercial trip limits of 25,000 lb (11,340 kg) or 500 
lb (227 kg) per day, respectively. A person who fishes in the EEZ may 
not combine these trip/possession limits with any trip or possession 
limit applicable to state waters. No trip limit is applicable for the 
western zone.
    The 500-lb (227-kg) trip limit for hook-and-line vessels operating 
in the Florida west coast subzone is in accordance with 50 CFR 
622.44(a)(2)(ii)(B) which specifies king mackerel may be possessed on 
board or landed from a permitted vessel in amounts not exceeding 500 lb 
(227 kg) per day from the date that 75 percent of the subzone's hook-
and-line gear quota has been harvested. NMFS has determined that 75 
percent of the hook-and-line quota for Gulf group king mackerel from 
the Florida west coast subzone has been reached.
    The boundary between the eastern and western zones is 
87 deg.31'06'' W. long., which is a line directly south from the 
Alabama/Florida boundary. 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 
of 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: February 18, 1998.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-4548 Filed 2-18-98; 5:03 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F