[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 133 (Monday, July 13, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 37506-37507]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-18461]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 285

[I.D. 070698D]


Atlantic Tuna Fisheries; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna

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

ACTION: Harpoon category closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS has determined that the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) 
Harpoon category annual quota for 1998 will be attained by July 7, 
1998. Therefore, the 1998 Harpoon category fishery will be closed 
effective at 11:30 p.m. on July 7, 1998. This action is being taken to 
prevent overharvest of the Harpoon category quota.

DATES: Effective 11:30 p.m. local time on July 7, 1998, through 
December 31, 1998.


[[Page 37507]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pat Scida, 978-281-9260, or Sarah 
McLaughlin, 301-713-2347.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations implemented under the authority 
of the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.) governing 
the harvest of BFT by persons and vessels subject to U.S. jurisdiction 
are found at 50 CFR part 285. Section 285.22 subdivides the U.S. quota 
recommended by the International Commission for the Conservation of 
Atlantic Tunas among the various domestic fishing categories.

Harpoon Category Closure

    NMFS is required, under Sec. 285.20(b)(1), to monitor the catch and 
landing statistics and, on the basis of these statistics, to project a 
date when the catch of BFT will equal the quota and publish a Federal 
Register announcement to close the applicable fishery.
    Implementing regulations for the Atlantic tuna fisheries at 
Sec. 285.22 provide for a quota of 53 mt of large medium and giant BFT 
to be harvested from the regulatory area by vessels permitted in the 
Harpoon category. Based on reported landings and effort, NMFS projects 
that this quota will be reached by July 7, 1998. Therefore, fishing 
for, retaining, possessing, or landing large medium or giant BFT by 
vessels in the Harpoon category must cease at 11:30 p.m. local time 
July 7, 1998.
    The intent of this closure is to prevent overharvest of the quota 
established for the Harpoon category.

Classification

    This action is taken under Secs. 285.20(b) and 285.22 and is exempt 
from review under E.O. 12866.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.

    Dated: July 7, 1998.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-18461 Filed 7-7-98; 4:25 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F