[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 40 (Monday, March 2, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 10154]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-5183]



[[Page 10154]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 970930235-8028-02; I.D. 022498A]


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.

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SUMMARY: NMFS closes the commercial run-around gillnet fishery for king 
mackerel in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the Florida west coast 
subzone. This closure is necessary to protect the overfished Gulf king 
mackerel resource.

DATES: Effective 6:00 p.m., local time, February 24, 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 under the authority of the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act by regulations at 50 
CFR part 622.
    Based on the Councils' recommended total allowable catch and the 
allocation ratios in the FMP, NMFS recently implemented (63 FR 8353, 
February 19, 1998) a commercial quota for the Gulf of Mexico migratory 
group of king mackerel in the Florida west coast subzone of 1.17 
million lb (0.53 million kg). That quota was further divided into two 
equal quotas of 585,000 lb (265,352 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)). The 
fishery was opened February 20, 1998 (63 FR 9158, February 24, 1998), 
to allow harvest of the remaining balance between the newly implemented 
quota and former, lower quota of 432,500 lb (196,179 kg).
    In accordance with 50 CFR 622.43(a)(3), NMFS is required to close 
any segment of the king mackerel commercial fishery when its allocation 
or 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 585,000 lb (265,352 kg) for Gulf group king 
mackerel for vessels using run-around gillnets in the Florida west 
coast subzone was reached on February 23, 1998. Accordingly, the 
commercial fishery for king mackerel for such vessels in the Florida 
west coast subzone is closed effective 6:00 p.m., local time, February 
24, 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 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 24, 1998.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-5183 Filed 2-24-98; 3:20 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F