[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 144 (Wednesday, July 28, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 40782]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-19282]



[[Page 40782]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 635

[I.D. 071399A]


Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fisheries; Atlantic Bluefin 
Tuna

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

ACTION: Harpoon category closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS has determined that the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) 
Harpoon category annual quota for 1999 will be attained by July 23, 
1999. Therefore, the 1999 Harpoon category fishery will be closed 
effective at 11:30 p.m. on July 23, 1999. This action is being taken to 
prevent overharvest of the Harpoon category quota.

DATES: Effective 11:30 p.m. local time on July 23, 1999, through May 
31, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pat Scida or Brad McHale, 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 635. Section 635.27(a) subdivides the U.S. 
quota recommended by the International Commission for the Conservation 
of Atlantic Tunas among the various domestic fishing categories.

Harpoon Category Closure

    NMFS is required, under Sec. 635.28 (a)(1), to file with the Office 
of the Federal Register for publication notification of closure when a 
BFT quota, is reached, or is projected to be reached. On and after the 
effective date and time of such notification, for the remainder of the 
fishing year or for a specified period as indicated in the notice, 
fishing for, retaining, possessing, or landing BFT under that quota 
category is prohibited until the opening of the subsequent quota period 
or until such date as specified in the notice.
    The 1999 BFT quota specifications issued pursuant to Sec. 635.27 
set a quota of 54 mt of large medium and giant BFT to be harvested from 
the regulatory area by vessels permitted in the Harpoon category during 
the 1999 fishing year (64 FR 29806, June 3, 1999). Based on reported 
landings and effort, NMFS projects that this quota will be reached by 
July 23, 1999. Therefore, fishing for, retaining, possessing, or 
landing large medium or giant BFT by vessels in the Harpoon category 
must cease at 11:30 p.m. local time July 23, 1999.
    The intent of this closure is to prevent overharvest of the quota 
established for the Harpoon category.

Classification

    This action is taken under Secs. 635.27(a) and 635.28 (a)(1) and is 
exempt from review under E.O. 12866.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. and 1801 et seq.

    Dated: July 22, 1999.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-19282 Filed 7-23-99; 4:23 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F