[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 173 (Friday, September 6, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 56934]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-22666]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 635

[I.D. 083002D]


Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fisheries; Atlantic Bluefin 
Tuna

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

ACTION: Increase of Atlantic bluefin tuna General category daily 
retention limit.

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SUMMARY: NMFS has determined that the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) 
General category daily catch limit should be adjusted to two large 
medium or giant BFT per vessel in order to allow for maximum 
utilization of the General category September time-period subquota.

DATES: Effective September 1, 2002, until September 14, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 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. Section 635.27 subdivides the U.S. BFT quota recommended by 
the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas 
among the various domestic fishing categories, and General category 
effort controls (including time-period subquotas and restricted fishing 
days ( RFDs)) are specified annually under 50 CFR 635.23(a) and 
635.27(a). The 2002 General category effort controls were proposed on 
July 27, 2002 (67 FR 43266).

Adjustment of Daily Retention Limits

    Under Sec.  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 an increase of the daily retention 
limit for the first half of September is appropriate and necessary to 
allow full use of the September subquota. Therefore, NMFS adjusts the 
daily retention limit for September 1 through September 14 to two large 
medium or giant BFT per vessel.
    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.
    While catch rates have continued to be low so far this season, NMFS 
recognizes that they may increase. If catch rates remain depressed, 
NMFS may increase the daily retention limits and/or waive some or all 
of the previously scheduled RFDs. The RFD schedule will be announced 
with the publication of the final initial 2002 BFT quota specifications 
and General category effort controls. Until these specifications have 
been announced, no RFDs have been implemented.

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 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: August 30, 2002.
Theophilus R. Brainerd,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 02-22666 Filed 8-30-02; 4:42 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S ----------- -