[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 195 (Thursday, October 8, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54078-54079]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-26925]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 285

[I.D. 092398B]


Atlantic Tuna Fisheries; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna; Closure

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

ACTION: General category closure.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS has determined that the 1998 Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) 
General category subquota for the October-December period will be 
attained by October 5, 1998. Therefore, General category fishery for 
October-December will be closed effective 11:30 p.m. on October 5, 
1998. This action is being taken to prevent overharvest of the adjusted 
subquota of 116 metric tons (mt) for the October-December period.

DATES: Effective 11:30 p.m. local time on October 5, 1998, through 
December 31, 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 65 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 October 1 and ending 
December 31. Due to a total underharvest of 1 mt in the June-August and 
September period subquotas and to the transfer of 50 mt from other 
categories (10 mt from the Reserve and 40 mt from the Incidental 
Longline South quota), the October-December period subquota was 
adjusted to 116 mt (63 FR 51855, September 29, 1998). Based on reported 
catch and effort, NMFS projects that this revised subquota will be 
reached by October 5, 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 October 5, 1998. 
If, after tallying the landings following the closure, NMFS determines 
that a substantial amount of quota remains, NMFS may reopen the General 
category fishery as necessary to allow full harvest of the adjusted 
October-December subquota.
    General category permit holders may tag and release BFT while the 
General category is closed, 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 
October-December period subquota established for the General category. 
NMFS will announce the opening date of the New York Bight fishery 
through a separate Federal Register notice.

[[Page 54079]]

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: October 2, 1998.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-26925 Filed 10-2-98; 4:06 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F