[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 10 (Thursday, January 15, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 2307]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-900]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No. 030227050-3082-02; I.D. 010904C]


Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Spiny Dogfish 
Fishery; Reopening of Commercial Fishery

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

ACTION: Commercial fishery reopening.

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SUMMARY:  NMFS announces that spiny dogfish commercial fishery will 
reopen. Vessels issued a Federal moratorium permit to harvest spiny 
dogfish may possess up to 300 lb (136 kg) of spiny dogfish per trip per 
calendar day on 0001 hours local time, January 12, 2004, through 2359 
hours local time, April 30, 2004. The intent of this action is to allow 
for the full utilization of the commercial quota allocated to the spiny 
dogfish fishery.

DATES:  Effective 0001 hours local time, January 12, 2004, through 2359 
hours local time, April 30, 2004.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 648.231 of part 50 CFR requires NMFS 
to close the commercial fishery for spiny dogfish in the EEZ for each 
semi-annual quota period when the quota is determined to be harvested. 
The Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, based on dealer reports, 
state data, and other available information, determined that the quota 
for Quota Period 2 would be harvested (68 FR 41945, July 16, 2003), 
therefore, effective 0001 hours, July 18, 2003, the commercial fishery 
for spiny dogfish in the EEZ was closed. However, new projections 
indicate the quota of spiny dogfish may not be attained. Therefore, 
NMFS announces that the commercial fishery for spiny dogfish in the EEZ 
will reopen. Vessels issued a Federal moratorium permit to harvest 
spiny dogfish may possess up to 300 lb (136 kg) of spiny dogfish per 
trip per calendar day effective 0001 hours local time, January 12, 
2004, through 2359 hours local time, April 30, 2004.

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: January 12, 2003.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Offfice of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 04-900 Filed 1-12-04; 2:38 pm]
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