[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 183 (Wednesday, September 20, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 56801]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-24158]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 940246-4137; I.D. 091100D]


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Snapper-Grouper Fishery off the Southern Atlantic States; Snowy 
Grouper; Commercial Trip Limit Reduction

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

ACTION: Trip limit reduction.

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SUMMARY: NMFS reduces the commercial trip limit for snowy grouper in 
the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off the southern Atlantic states to 
300 lb (1,134 kg). This trip limit reduction is necessary to protect 
the snowy grouper resource.

DATES: Effective 12:01 a.m., local time, October 1, 2000, through 
December 31, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Eldridge, telephone: 727-570-
5305, fax: 727-570-5583, e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The snapper-grouper fishery off the southern 
Atlantic states is managed under the Fishery Management Plan for the 
Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (FMP). The FMP was 
prepared by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council and is 
implemented under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act by regulations at 50 CFR part 622.
    The commercial quota for snowy grouper, one of the species in the 
snapper-grouper complex, is 344,508 lb (156,266 kg), gutted weight, 
each fishing year. The fishing year is January 1 through December 31. 
In accordance with 50 CFR 622.44(c)(3), a commercial trip limit of 
2,500 lb (1,134 kg) applies until the quota is reached. When the quota 
is reached, or is projected to be reached, NMFS is required to reduce 
the commercial trip limit to 300 lb (136 kg), through the end of the 
fishing year.
    Based on current statistics, NMFS has projected that the commercial 
quota for snowy grouper will be reached on September 30, 2000. 
Accordingly, the commercial trip limit for snowy grouper in or from the 
EEZ off the southern Atlantic states is reduced to 300 lb (136 kg) 
effective 12:01 a.m., local time, October 1, 2000, through December 31, 
2000. During this period, no more than 300 lb (136 kg) of snowy 
grouper, round weight or gutted weight, may be (1) possessed at any 
time on board a vessel that has a valid commercial permit for snapper-
grouper, or (2) landed, purchased, or sold from such a vessel per day. 
The possession of a valid commercial permit notwithstanding, the bag 
and possession limits apply when a vessel is operating as a charter 
vessel or headboat. A charter vessel with a commercial vessel permit is 
considered to be operating as a charter vessel when it carries a 
passenger who pays a fee or when there are more than three persons 
aboard, including operator and crew. A headboat with a commercial 
vessel permit is considered to be operating as a headboat when it 
carries a passenger who pays a fee or when there are more persons 
aboard than the number of crew specified in the vessel's Certificate of 
Inspection.

Classification

    This action is taken under 50 CFR 622.43(a) and 622.44(c) and is 
exempt from Office of Management and Budget review under Executive 
Order 12866.

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

    Dated: September 15, 2000.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 00-24158 Filed 9-15-00; 2:12 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S