[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 176 (Friday, September 11, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 48641]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-24405]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 285

[I.D. 090498A]


Atlantic Tuna Fisheries; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna; Closure

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

ACTION: General category closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS has determined that the 1998 Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) 
General category subquota for the September period will be attained by 
September 8, 1998. Therefore, General category fishery for September 
will be closed effective 11:30 p.m. on September 8, 1998. This action 
is being taken to prevent overharvest of the adjusted subquota of 201 
metric tons (mt) for the September period.

DATES: Effective 11:30 p.m. local time on September 8, 1998, through 
September 30, 1998.

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

General 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 50 CFR 
285.22 provide for a subquota of 194 mt of large medium and giant BFT 
to be harvested from the regulatory area by vessels permitted in the 
General category during the period beginning September 1 and ending 
September 30. Due to an underharvest of 7 mt in the June-August period 
subquota, the September period subquota was adjusted to 201 mt. Based 
on reported catch and effort, NMFS projects that this revised subquota 
will be reached by September 8, 1998. Therefore, fishing for, 
retaining, possessing, or landing large medium or giant BFT by vessels 
in the General category must cease at 11:30 p.m. local time September 
8, 1998. The General category will reopen October 1, 1998, with a quota 
of 65 mt for the October-December period. If necessary, the October-
December subquota will be adjusted based on actual landings from 
September. While the General category is open, General category permit 
holders are restricted from all BFT fishing, including tag-and-release 
fishing, on restricted-fishing days. However, for the remainder of 
September, previously designated restricted-fishing days are waived; 
therefore, General category permit holders may tag and release BFT 
while the General category is closed prior to the October 1 opening, 
subject to the requirements of the tag and release program at 50 CFR 
285.27.
    The intent of this closure is to prevent overharvest of the 
September period subquota established for the General category.

Classification

    This action is taken under 50 CFR 285.20(b) and 50 CFR 285.22 and 
is exempt from review under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: September 4, 1998.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-24405 Filed 9-8-98; 2:00 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F