[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 250 (Wednesday, December 30, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 71792-71793]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-34543]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 285

[I.D. 122198B]


Atlantic Tuna Fisheries; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna

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 Atlantic bluefin tuna 
(BFT) in all areas to one fish per vessel, which may be from the 
school, large school, or small medium size class.. The Angling category 
trophy fishery for large medium and giant BFT remains at one fish per 
vessel, per year. This action is being taken to lengthen the fishing 
season and to ensure reasonable fishing opportunities in all geographic 
areas without risking overharvest of the quota established for the 
Angling category fishery.

DATES: Effective 1 a.m. local time on January 1, 1999, until the end of 
the 1999 winter fishery. NMFS will announce any subsequent catch limit 
adjustments by publication in the Federal Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah McLaughlin, 978-281-9146.

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 limit in order to 
provide for maximum utilization of the quota spread over the longest 
possible period of time. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, 
NOAA, may increase or reduce the per angler catch limit for any size 
class BFT or may change the per angler limit to a per vessel limit or a 
per vessel limit to a per angler limit. NMFS is responsible for 
implementing the recommendation by the International Commission for the 
Conservation of Atlantic Tunas to restrict domestic landings of BFT 
within the assigned country allocation and further to limit the take of 
school size BFT (measuring 27 to <47 inches/69 to <119 cm). In 
addition, it is NMFS' goal to increase the geographical and temporal 
distribution of data collection and fishing opportunities in the 
Angling category.
    Effective January 1, 1999, NMFS adjusts the daily catch limit as 
follows: Each Angling category vessel may retain no more than one BFT 
from the school (measuring 27 to <47 inches/69 to <119 cm), large 
school (measuring 47 to <59 inches/119 to <150 cm), or small medium 
(measuring 59 to <73 inches/150 to <185 cm) size class In addition, 
each Angling category vessel may retain no more than one large medium 
or giant BFT (measuring 73 inches/185 cm or greater) per year. Catch 
rates during the first few months of 1998 were low, but catch rates and 
average sizes of BFT landed during the winter fishery were high in 1996 
and 1997. This action is being taken to provide the greatest geographic 
and temporal range of data collection and fishing opportunities without 
risking overharvest.
    Charter/Headboat category vessels, when engaged in recreational 
fishing for BFT, are subject to the same rules as Angling category 
vessels. In addition, anglers aboard permitted vessels may continue to 
tag and release BFT of all sizes under the NMFS tag-and-release program 
(50 CFR 285.27).
    NMFS will continue to monitor the Angling category fishery closely 
through

[[Page 71793]]

the Automated Catch Reporting System and the Large Pelagic Survey. All 
BFT landed under the Angling category quota outside 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). In North 
Carolina, all BFT must be taken to a reporting station to receive a 
landing tag before removing the fish from the vessel. For information 
about the North Carolina Harvest Tagging Program, including reporting 
station locations, call 800-338-7804.
    Subsequent adjustments to the daily catch limit, as necessary, 
shall be announced through publication in the Federal Register. In 
addition, anglers may call the Atlantic Tunas Information Line at 1-
888-USA-TUNA (888-872-8862) or at 978-281-9305 for updates on quota 
monitoring and catch limit adjustments.

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: December 23, 1998.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries. National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-34543 Filed 12-29-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F