[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 240 (Friday, December 13, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 76701]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-31444]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No. 011005244-2011-02; I.D. 120902F]


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 remain open. Vessels issued a 
Federal moratorium permit to harvest Loligo squid in excess of the 
incidental catch allowance may continue landing Loligo squid after 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 12, 2002, through December 31, 
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 was not 
attained, and NMFS reopened the directed Loligo squid fishery from 0001 
hours, December 2, 2002, through 0001 hours, December 12, 2002 (67 FR 
70556, November 25, 2002). Due to recent bad weather, new projections 
indicate the closure threshold level of Loligo harvest may not be 
attained. Therefore, NMFS announces that the directed Loligo squid 
fishery will remain open. Vessels issued a Federal moratorium permit to 
harvest Loligo squid in excess of the incidental catch allowance may 
continue fishing for, retaining and landing Loligo squid in excess of 
the incidental catch allowance after 0001 hours, December 12, 2002, 
through December 31, 2002.

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: December 10, 2002.
John H. Dunnigan,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-31444 Filed 12-10-02; 2:41 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S