[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 103 (Friday, May 29, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29355-29356]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-14248]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 678

[I.D. 051998A]


Atlantic Shark Fisheries; Quota Adjustment

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

ACTION: Quota adjustment.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the landings of large coastal sharks in 
the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea totaled 684.8 
metric tons (mt) during the first semiannual 1998 season. Because this 
constitutes an overharvest of 42 mt, the second semiannual 1998 quota 
is reduced accordingly.

DATES: Effective May 29, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Margo Schulze or Karyl Brewster-Geisz 
at 301-713-2347; or Buck Sutter at 813-570-5324.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and 
Caribbean Sea shark fisheries are managed by NMFS according to the 
Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Atlantic Sharks prepared by NMFS 
under authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.). Fishing by U.S. vessels is 
governed by regulations implementing the FMP at 50 CFR part 678.
    Section 678.24(b) of the regulations provides for two semi-annual 
quotas of 642 mt of large coastal sharks to be harvested from the 
Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea waters by

[[Page 29356]]

commercial fishermen. The first semiannual quota was available for 
harvest from January 1 through June 30, 1998.
    The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, is authorized 
under Sec. 678.24(c) to adjust the semiannual quota to reflect actual 
catches during the preceding semiannual period. Harvest data submitted 
to NMFS indicate that the landings of large coastal sharks from January 
through March 31, 1998, totaled 684.8 mt, which is 42.8 mt more than 
the established quota. Therefore, the adjusted quota for large coastal 
sharks for the second 1998 semiannual period is decreased from 642 mt 
to 600 mt. The adjusted quota of 600 mt is available for the period 
July 1 through December 31, 1998.

Classification

    This rule is exempt from review under E.O. 12866.

    Dated: May 22, 1998.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-14248 Filed 5-28-98; 8:45 am]
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