[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 165 (Thursday, August 26, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 46596]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-22176]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 990506120-9220-02; I.D. 082399B]


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South 
Atlantic; Closure

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

ACTION: Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS closes the commercial fishery for king mackerel in the 
exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the western zone of the Gulf of 
Mexico. This closure is necessary to protect the overfished Gulf king 
mackerel resource.

DATES: The closure is effective 12:01 a.m., local time, August 25, 
1999, through June 30, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Godcharles, 727-570-5305.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The fishery for coastal migratory pelagic 
fish (king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, cero, cobia, little tunny, 
dolphin, and, in the Gulf of Mexico only, bluefish) is managed under 
the Fishery Management Plan for the Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources 
of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic (FMP). The FMP was prepared by 
the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils 
(Councils) and is implemented under the authority of the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act by regulations at 50 
CFR part 622.
    Based on the Councils' recommended total allowable catch and the 
allocation ratios in the FMP, NMFS implemented a commercial quota for 
the Gulf of Mexico migratory group of king mackerel in the western zone 
of 1.05 million lb (0.48 million kg) (63 FR 8353, February 19, 1998).
    Under 50 CFR 622.43(a), NMFS is required to close any segment of 
the king mackerel commercial fishery when its quota has been reached, 
or is projected to be reached, by filing a notification at the Office 
of Federal Register. NMFS has determined that the commercial quota of 
1.05 million lb (0.48 million kg) for Gulf group king mackerel in the 
western zone will be reached on August 24, 1999. Accordingly, the 
commercial fishery for Gulf group king mackerel in the western zone is 
closed effective 12:01 a.m., local time, August 25, 1999, through June 
30, 2000, the end of the fishing year. The boundary between the eastern 
and western zones is 87 deg.31'06'' W. long., which is a line directly 
south from the Alabama/Florida boundary.
    Until July 1, 2000, no person aboard a vessel, other than a vessel 
operating as a charter vessel or headboat, for which a commercial 
permit for king or Spanish mackerel has been issued may fish for or 
retain king mackerel in or from the western zone in the EEZ. A vessel 
for which a charter vessel/headboat permit and a commercial king 
mackerel permit have been issued is operating as a charter vessel or 
headboat (for-hire vessel) when it carries a paying passenger or when 
more than three persons are aboard, including captain and crew. A 
person aboard a vessel operating as a charter vessel or headboat may 
fish for or retain king mackerel in or from the western zone under the 
bag and possession limits of 50 CFR 622.39(c)(1)(ii). However, 
beginning September 20, 1999, the bag limit is zero for captain and 
crew on for-hire vessels (64 FR 45457, August 20, 1999).
    During the closure, king mackerel taken from the western zone in 
the EEZ, including those harvested under the bag and possession limits, 
may not be purchased or sold. This prohibition does not apply to trade 
in king mackerel from the western zone that were harvested, landed 
ashore, and sold prior to the closure and were held in cold storage by 
a dealer or processor.

Classification

    This action is taken under 50 CFR 622.43(a) and is exempt from 
review under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: August 23, 1999.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-22176 Filed 8-23-99; 4:57 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F