[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 172 (Wednesday, September 5, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 46401]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-22160]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 635

[I.D. 082901B]


Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fisheries; Large Coastal 
Shark Species

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

ACTION: Postponement of closure; fishing season notification.

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SUMMARY: NMFS notifies eligible participants of the commercial fishery 
for large coastal sharks (LCS) in the Western North Atlantic Ocean, 
including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, which was scheduled 
to be closed on August 31, 2001, at 11:30 p.m. local time, has been 
extended to September 4, 2001, at 11:30 p.m. local time.

DATES: The commercial fishery for LCS will close on September 4, 2001, 
at 11:30 p.m. local time through December 31, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher Rogers or Karyl Brewster-
Geisz, 301-713-2347; fax 301-713-1917.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Atlantic shark fishery is managed under 
the Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish, and Sharks, 
and its implementing regulations found at 50 CFR part 635 issued under 
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.).
    On June 26, 2001, NMFS announced in the Federal Register (66 FR 
33918) that the LCS commercial quota for the second semi-annual 2001 
fishing season was 697 metric tons (mt) dressed weight (dw). 
Additionally, NMFS announced that, based on past catch rates, the LCS 
fishery would close on August 31, 2001. As of July 31, 2001, 
approximately 331 mt dw, or 47 percent of the available quota, had been 
reported landed. Extending the season should ensure that eligible 
participants have an adequate opportunity to harvest the available 
quota.
    Commercial fishing for pelagic and small coastal sharks may 
continue until further notice. When quotas for these species are 
projected to be reached, NMFS will file notice of closure at the Office 
of the Federal Register.
    This action is taken under 50 CFR part 635 and is exempt from 
review under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: August 29, 2001.
Richard W. Surdi
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 01-22160 Filed 8-29-01; 4:49 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S