[Federal Register: February 3, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 22)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 5195-5196]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03fe99-15]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 961204340-7087-02; I.D. 012999A]

 
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South 
Atlantic; Trip Limit Reduction

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

ACTION: Trip limit reduction.

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SUMMARY: NMFS reduces the commercial trip limit in the hook-and-line 
fishery for king mackerel in the Florida west coast subzone to 500 lb 
(227 kg) of king mackerel per day in or from the exclusive economic 
zone (EEZ). This trip limit reduction is necessary to protect the 
overfished Gulf king mackerel resource.

DATES: This rule is effective 12:01 a.m., local time, January 30, 1999, 
through June 30, 1999, unless changed by further notification in the 
Federal Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Godcharles, 727-570-5305.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The fishery for coastal migratory pelagic 
fish (king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, cero, cobia, little tunny, 
dolphin, and, in the Gulf of Mexico only, bluefish) is managed under 
the Fishery Management Plan for the Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources 
of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic (FMP). The FMP was prepared by 
the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils 
(Councils) and is implemented under the authority of the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act by regulations at 50 
CFR part 622.
    Based on the Councils' recommended total allowable catch and the 
allocation ratios in the FMP, NMFS implemented a commercial quota for 
the Gulf migratory group of king mackerel in the Florida west coast 
subzone of 1.17 million lb (0.53 million kg). That quota was further 
divided into two equal quotas of 585,000 lb (265,352 kg) for vessels in 
each of two groups by gear types--vessels using run-around gillnets and 
vessels using hook-and-line gear (50 CFR 622.42(c)(1)(i)(A)(2), (63 FR 
8353, February 19, 1998)).
    In accordance with 50 CFR 622.44(a)(2)(ii)(B), from the date that 
75 percent of the subzone's hook-and-line gear quota has been harvested 
until a closure of the west coast subzone's hook-and-line fishery has 
been effected or until the fishing year ends, king mackerel in or from 
the EEZ may be possessed on board or landed from a permitted vessel in 
amounts not exceeding 500 lb (227 kg) per day.
    NMFS has determined that 75 percent of the hook-and-line quota for 
Gulf group king mackerel from the Florida west coast subzone was 
reached on January 28, 1999. Accordingly, a 500-lb (227 kg) trip limit 
applies to vessels in the commercial hook-and-line fishery for king 
mackerel in or from the EEZ in the Florida west coast subzone effective 
12:01 a.m., local time, January 30, 1999.
    The Florida west coast subzone extends from 87 deg.31'06'' W. long. 
(due south of the Alabama/Florida boundary) to: (1) 25 deg.20.4' N. 
lat. (due east of the Dade/Monroe County, FL boundary) through March 
31, 1999; and (2) 25 deg.48' N. lat. (due west of the Monroe/Collier

[[Page 5196]]

County, FL boundary) from April 1, 1999, through October 31, 1999.

Classification

    This action is taken under 50 CFR 622.44(a)(2)(iii) and is exempt 
from review under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: January 29, 1999.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-2543 Filed 1-29-99; 3:08 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F