[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 204 (Tuesday, October 22, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64825-64826]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-26871]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[I.D. 101002A]


Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Tilefish Fishery; 
Continuation of Specifications for the 2003 Fishing Year

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

ACTION: Notification of continuation of specifications.

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SUMMARY: NOAA Fisheries announces that it will continue the 2002 quota 
specifications for the golden tilefish fishery for the 2003 fishing 
year. Accordingly, the total allowable landings (TAL) for the 2003 
fishing year will remain at 1.995 million lb (905,172 kg). The intent 
of this action is to notify the public that there will be no change in 
the fishery specifications for tilefish for the fishing year beginning 
November 1, 2002.

DATES: Effective from November 1, 2002, through October 31, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to Patricia A. Kurkul, 
Regional Administrator, NOAA Fisheries, Northeast Regional Office, 1 
Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope 
``Comments on Continuation of Specifications for the Golden Tilefish 
Fishery.'' Comments may also be sent via facsimile (fax) to (978) 281-
9135.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Christel, 978-281-9141; fax 978-
281-9135; e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The final rule implementing the Tilefish Fishery Management Plan 
(FMP) became effective on November 1, 2001 (66 FR 49136, September 26, 
2001). Pursuant to the tilefish regulations at 50 CFR 648.290, the 
Tilefish FMP Monitoring Committee (Monitoring Committee) will meet 
after the completion of each stock assessment, or at the request of the 
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) Chairman, to review 
tilefish landings information and any other relevant available data to 
determine if the annual quota requires modification to respond to 
changes to the stock's biological reference points or to ensure that 
the rebuilding schedule is maintained. Additional management measures 
or revisions to existing measures could also be considered at this time 
to ensure that the TAL would not be exceeded. Furthermore, up to 3 
percent of the TAL could be set aside for a given fishing year for the 
purpose of funding research. In the event that a new stock assessment 
was not completed or the Council Chairman does not request that the 
Monitoring Committee meet, the regulations further specify that the 
previous year's specifications will remain effective and that NOAA 
Fisheries will issue notification in the Federal Register informing the 
public of such.
    A new tilefish stock assessment is not scheduled to occur until 
2004, and the

[[Page 64826]]

Council Chairman did not request that the Monitoring Committee meet to 
determine if the annual quota requires modification to respond to stock 
conditions. Furthermore, the Council voted on October 3, 2002, not to 
establish a research set-aside allocation for the upcoming fishing 
year. Therefore, NOAA Fisheries informs the public that the 2002 quota 
specifications of 1.995 million lb (905,172 kg) for the golden tilefish 
fishery will remain in effect for the 2003 fishing year (November 1, 
2002, through October 31, 2003). Thus, 2002 TAL allocations for each 
Federal tilefish permit category will remain in effect for the 2003 
fishing year.

Classification

    This action is required by 50 CFR part 648 and is exempt from 
review under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: October 16, 2002.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 02-26871 Filed 10-21-02; 8:45 am]
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