[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 166 (Thursday, August 27, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 45763]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-23014]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No. 971107264-8001-02; I.D. 082098A]


Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Mackerel, 
Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries; Closure of Directed Fishery for Illex 
Squid

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

ACTION: Closure.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the directed fishery for Illex squid in 
the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) has been harvested. Vessels issued a 
Federal permit to harvest Illex squid may not retain or land more than 
5,000 lb (2.27 mt) for the remainder of the fishing year.

DATES: Effective 0001 hours, August 28, 1998, through 2400 hours, 
December 31, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Myles Raizin, Fishery Policy Analyst, 
508-281-9104.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations governing the Illex squid 
fishery are found at 50 CFR part 648. The regulations require 
specifications for initial annual amounts of the initial optimum yield 
as well as the amounts for allowable biological catch, domestic annual 
harvest (DAH), domestic annual processing, joint venture processing and 
total allowable levels of foreign fishing for the species managed under 
the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan. 
The procedures for setting the annual initial specifications are 
described in Sec. 648.21.
    The 1998 specification of DAH for Illex squid was set at 19,000 mt 
(63 FR 1773, January 12, 1998). Section 648.22 requires that when the 
Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, projects that 95 
percent of the DAH for Illex squid has been attained, the Assistant 
Administrator for Fisheries, NMFS (AA), shall close the directed 
fishery in the EEZ. The AA is further required to notify, in advance of 
the closure, the Executive Directors of the Mid-Atlantic, New England, 
and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils; mail notification of 
the closure to all holders of Illex squid permits at least 72 hours 
before the effective date of the closure; provide adequate notice of 
the closure to recreational participants in the fishery; and publish 
notification of the closure in the Federal Register. The Acting 
Regional Administrator has determined, based on vessel and dealer 
logbook data, that at least 18,050 mt or 95 percent of the DAH for 
Illex squid, has been harvested. Therefore, effective 0001 hours, 
August 28, 1998, the directed fishery for Illex squid is closed. After 
August 28, 1998, vessels issued Federal permits for Illex squid may not 
retain or land more than 5,000 lb (2.27 mt) per trip for the remainder 
of the year.

Classification

    This action is required by 50 CFR part 648 and is exempt from 
review under E.O. 12866.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: August 21, 1998.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-23014 Filed 8-24-98; 3:31 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F