[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 136 (Thursday, July 16, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 38340]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-18930]



[[Page 38340]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 285

[I.D. 071098I]


Atlantic Tuna Fisheries; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fishery

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

ACTION: Catch limit adjustment.

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SUMMARY: NMFS adjusts the daily catch limit for the Angling category 
fishery for Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (BFT) in all areas to one fish from 
the large school or small medium size class per vessel. The intent of 
this action is to ensure reasonable fishing opportunities without 
risking overharvest of the quota established for the Angling category 
fishery.

DATES: Effective 1:00 a.m. local time on July 16, 1998, through 
December 31, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah McLaughlin, 301-713-2347, or 
Mark Murray-Brown, 978-281-9260.

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.
    Implementing regulations for the Atlantic tuna fisheries at 
Sec. 285.24 allow for adjustments to the daily catch limits in order to 
provide for maximum utilization of the quota spread over the longest 
possible period of time. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, 
NOAA (AA) may increase or reduce the per angler catch limit for any 
size class BFT or may change the per angler limit to a per boat limit 
or a per boat limit to a per angler limit.
    NMFS previously adjusted the southern area (south of 38 deg.47' N. 
lat.) daily catch limit to one fish per angler, with a maximum of three 
fish per vessel, from the school size class and one fish per vessel 
from the large school or small medium size class (63 FR 35161, June 29, 
1998). The duration of the catch limit adjustment was specified as the 
period of June 26 through July 27, 1998. However, NMFS indicated that 
an interim closure or additional catch limit adjustment may be 
necessary to enhance scientific data collection from all geographic 
areas, and that such action would be announced through publication in 
the Federal Register.
    Based on information collected by NMFS through dockside and 
telephone surveys and through the Automated Catch Reporting System 
(reported landings and estimated fishing effort), NMFS has determined 
that recent catch rates in the last few weeks are considerably higher 
than those for the same time period in 1997, which formed the basis for 
the previous catch limit adjustment. Therefore, NMFS has determined 
that an additional catch limit adjustment is warranted for all areas, 
i.e., north and south of 38 deg.47' N. lat. The catch limit for all 
areas is adjusted as follows: No more than one BFT from the large 
school or small medium size class (measuring 47 to less than 73 inches) 
may be retained each day per Angling category vessel. This daily catch 
limit adjustment is effective July 16 through December 31, 1998, or 
until further notice.
    Additional adjustments to the daily catch limit or closures, if 
any, shall be announced through publication in the Federal Register. In 
addition, anglers may call the Atlantic Tunas Information Line at 888-
USA-TUNA (888-872-8862), 301-713-1279, or 978-281-9305 for updates on 
quota monitoring and catch limit adjustments.
    Anglers aboard Charter/Headboat vessels, when engaged in 
recreational fishing for school, large school, and small medium BFT, 
are subject to the same rules as anglers aboard Angling category 
vessels. All BFT landed under the Angling category quota outside of 
North Carolina must be reported within 24 hours of landing to the NMFS 
Automated Catch Reporting System by phoning 888-USA-TUNA (888-872-
8862), or in North Carolina, to a reporting station. For information 
about the North Carolina Harvest Tagging Program, including reporting 
station locations, call 800-338-7804.
    The fishery for large medium and giant BFT (measuring 73 inches or 
greater) is not affected by this closure and remains open in all areas 
until further notice, subject to the trophy fish limit of one-per-
vessel-per-year. Anglers should verify that the trophy category remains 
open by calling the Atlantic Tunas Information Line prior to each 
fishing trip. In addition, anglers may continue to tag and release BFT 
of all sizes under the NMFS tag-and-release program (50 CFR 285.27).

Classification

    This action is taken under 50 CFR 285.24(d)(3) and is exempt from 
review under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: July 10, 1998.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-18930 Filed 7-13-98; 10:01 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F