[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 227 (Monday, November 25, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 70556]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-29893]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No. 011005244-2011-02; I.D. 111902A]


Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Mackerel, 
Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries; Reopening of Directed Fishery for 
Loligo Squid

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

ACTION: Directed fishery reopening.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces that commercial quota is available to allow the 
directed fishery for Loligo squid to reopen. Vessels issued a Federal 
moratorium permit to harvest Loligo squid in excess of the incidental 
catch allowance may resume landing of Loligo squid effective 0001 
hours, December 2, 2002, through 0001 hours, December 12, 2002. The 
intent of this action is to allow for the full utilization of the 
commercial quota allocated to the Loligo squid directed fishery.

DATES: Effective 0001 hours, December 2, 2002, through 0001 hours, 
December 12, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul H. Jones, Fishery Policy Analyst, 
978-281-9273, fax 978-281-9135, e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 648.22 of part 50 CFR requires NMFS 
to close the directed Loligo squid fishery in the EEZ for the remainder 
of the year when 95 percent of the total annual domestic annual harvest 
(DAH) has been harvested. The Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, 
based on dealer reports and other available information, determined 
that 95 percent of the total DAH for Loligo squid would be harvested by 
November 2, 2002 (67 FR 66072, October 30, 2002). Therefore, effective 
0001 hours, November 2, 2002, the directed fishery for Loligo squid was 
closed. However, the closure threshold level of Loligo harvest has not 
yet been attained. Therefore, NMFS announces that the directed Loligo 
squid fishery will reopen. Vessels issued a Federal moratorium permit 
to harvest Loligo squid in excess of the incidental catch allowance may 
resume fishing for, retaining and landing Loligo squid in excess of the 
incidental catch allowance from 0001 hours, December 2, 2002, through 
0001 hours, December 12, 2002. After 0001 hours, December 12, 2002, the 
directed fishery for Loligo squid will be closed and vessels issued 
Federal permits for Loligo squid may not retain or land more than 2,500 
lb (1.13 mt) of Loligo. Such vessels may not land more than 2,500 lb 
(1.13 mt) of Loligo during a calendar day. The directed fishery will 
reopen effective 0001 hours, January 1, 2003, when the 2003 quota 
becomes available.

Classification

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

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

    Dated: November 20, 2002.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 02-29893 Filed 11-20-02; 4:26 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S