[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 19 (Tuesday, January 29, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4210-4211]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-2128]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 001005281-0369-02; I.D. 011802A]


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South 
Atlantic; Trip Limit Increase

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

ACTION: Trip limit increase.

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SUMMARY: NMFS increases the trip limit in the commercial hook-and-line 
fishery for king mackerel in the Florida east coast subzone to 75 fish 
per day in or from the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). This trip limit 
increase is necessary to maximize the socioeconomic benefits of the 
quota.

[[Page 4211]]


DATES: This rule is effective 12:01 a.m., local time, February 1, 2002, 
through March 31, 2002, unless changed by further notification in the 
Federal Register.

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

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 (Magnuson-Stevens Act) 
by regulations at 50 CFR part 622.
    Based on the Councils' recommended total allowable catch and the 
allocation ratios in the FMP, on April 30, 2001 (66 FR 17368, March 30, 
2001) NMFS implemented a commercial quota of 2.25 million lb (1.02 
million kg) for the eastern zone (Florida) of the Gulf migratory group 
of king mackerel. That quota is further divided into separate quotas 
for the Florida east coast subzone and the northern and southern 
Florida west coast subzones. The quota newly implemented for the 
Florida east coast subzone is 1,040,625 lb (472,020 kg) (50 CFR 622.42 
(c)(1)(i)(A) (1)).
    In accordance with 50 CFR 622.44 (a)(2)(i), beginning on February 
1, if less than 75 percent of the Florida east coast subzone's quota 
has been harvested by that date, king mackerel in or from that 
subzone's EEZ may be possessed on board or landed from a permitted 
vessel in amounts not exceeding 75 fish per day. The 75-fish daily trip 
limit will continue until a closure of the subzone's fishery has been 
effected or the fishing year ends on March 31.
    NMFS has determined that 75 percent of the quota for Gulf group 
king mackerel for vessels using hook-and-line gear in the Florida east 
coast subzone will not be reached before February 1, 2002. Accordingly, 
a 75-fish trip limit applies to vessels in the commercial hook-and-line 
fishery for king mackerel in or from the EEZ in the Florida east coast 
subzone effective 12:01 a.m., local time, February 1, 2002. The 75-fish 
trip limit will remain in effect until the fishery closes or until the 
end of the current fishing season (March 31, 2002) for this subzone. 
From November 1 through March 31, the Florida east coast subzone of the 
Gulf group king mackerel is that part of the eastern zone north of 
25 deg.20.4' N. lat. (a line directly east from the Miami-Dade County, 
FL, boundary).

Classification

    This action responds to the best available information recently 
obtained from the fishery. The increased trip limit must be implemented 
immediately because less than 75 percent of the quota was harvested 
before February 1, 2002. This trip limit increase relieves a 
restriction. Therefore, any delay in implementing this action would be 
impractical and contradictory to the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the FMP, and 
the public interest. NMFS finds for good cause that the implementation 
of this action cannot be delayed for 30 days. Accordingly, under 5 
U.S.C. 553 (d), a delay in the effective date is waived.
    This action is taken under 50 CFR 622.44 (a)(2)(iii) and is exempt 
from review under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: January 22, 2002.
Jonathan M. Kurland,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 02-2128 Filed 1-24-02; 4:52 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S