[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 177 (Tuesday, September 12, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54970-54971]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-23313]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 635

[I.D. 081600A]


Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fisheries; Atlantic Bluefin 
Tuna

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

ACTION: Adjustment of General category daily retention limit on 
previously designated restricted fishing days.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS has determined that the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) 
General category restricted fishing day (RFD) schedule should be 
adjusted; i.e., certain RFDs should be waived in order to allow for 
maximum utilization of the General category subquota for the September 
fishing period. Therefore, NMFS increases the daily retention limit 
from zero to one large medium or giant BFT on the following previously 
designated RFDs for 2000: September 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, and 25.

DATES: Effective September 7, 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.) and the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-
Stevens Act; 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) governing the harvest of BFT by 
persons and vessels subject to U.S. jurisdiction are found at 50 CFR 
part 635. General category effort controls (including time-period 
subquotas and RFDs) are specified annually under 50 CFR 635.23(a) and 
635.27(a). The 2000 General category effort controls were specified on 
July 7, 2000 (65 FR 42883, July 12, 2000).

Adjustment of Daily Retention Limit for Selected Dates

    Under 50 CFR 635.23(a)(4), NMFS may increase or decrease the daily 
retention limit of large medium and giant BFT over a range from zero 
(on RFDs) to a maximum of three per vessel to allow for maximum 
utilization of the quota for BFT. Based on a review of dealer reports, 
daily landing trends, and the availability of BFT on the fishing 
grounds, NMFS has determined that adjustment to the RFD schedule, and, 
therefore, an increase of the daily retention limit for certain 
previously designated RFDs, is necessary. Therefore, NMFS adjusts the 
daily retention limit for September 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, and 25, 2000, 
to one large medium or giant BFT per vessel. NMFS has selected these 
days in order to give adequate advance notice to fishery participants 
and NMFS enforcement.
    The intent of this adjustment is to allow for maximum utilization 
of the General category subquotas for the September fishing period 
(specified under 50 CFR 635.27(a)) by General category participants in 
order to help achieve optimum yield in the General category fishery, to 
collect a broad range of data for stock monitoring purposes, and to be 
consistent with the objectives of the HMS FMP. For these same reasons, 
NMFS has already adjusted the General category daily retention limit 
for 10 previously scheduled RFDs in July and August (65 FR 46654, July 
31, 2000).
    While catch rates have continued to be low so far this season, NMFS 
recognizes that they may increase. In addition, due to the temporal and 
geographical nature of the fishery, certain gear types and areas are 
more productive at various times during the fishery. In order to ensure 
that the September subquota is not filled prematurely and to ensure 
equitable fishing opportunities in all areas and for all gear types, 
NMFS has not waived all

[[Page 54971]]

the RFDs in September. If catch rates continue to be low, some or all 
of the remaining previously scheduled RFDs may be waived as well.

Classification

    This action is taken under 50 CFR 635.23(a)(4) and is exempt from 
review under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: September 6, 2000.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 00-23313 Filed 9-7-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE: 3510-22 -S