[Federal Register: October 7, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 194)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 54577-54578] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr07oc99-18] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 635 [I.D. 092899G] Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fisheries; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: General category closure. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS has determined that the 1999 Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) coastwide General category quota will be attained by October 3, 1999. Therefore, the coastwide General category fishery will be closed effective 11:30 p.m. on October 3, 1999. This action is being taken to prevent overharvest of the coastwide General category quota of 644 metric tons (mt). DATES: Effective 11:30 p.m. local time on October 3, 1999, through May 31, 2000. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brad McHale or Pat Scida, 978-281- 9260. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations implemented under the authority of the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.) and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) governing the harvest of BFT by persons and vessels subject to U.S. jurisdiction are found at 50 CFR part 635. Section 635.27 subdivides the U.S. BFT quota recommended by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas among the various domestic fishing categories. The General category landings quota, including time-period subquotas and the New York Bight set-aside, are specified annually as required under Sec. 635.27(a)(1). The 1999 General category quota and effort control specifications were issued June 1, 1999 (64 FR 29806, June 3, 1999). General Category Closure NMFS is required, under Sec. 635.28 (a)(1), to file with the Office of the Federal Register for publication notification of closure when a BFT quota is reached, or is projected to be [[Page 54578]] reached. On and after the effective date and time of such closure notification, for the remainder of the fishing year or for a specified period as indicated in the notification, fishing for, retaining, possessing, or landing BFT under that quota category is prohibited until the opening of the subsequent quota period or until such date as specified in the notification. The 1999 BFT quota specifications issued pursuant to Sec. 635.27 set a coastwide General category quota of 644 mt of large medium and giant BFT to be harvested from the regulatory area during the 1999 fishing year. Based on reported landings and effort, NMFS projects that this quota will be reached by October 3, 1999. Therefore, fishing for, retaining, possessing, or landing large medium or giant BFT by persons aboard vessels in the General or Charter/Headboat categories must cease at 11:30 p.m. local time October 3, 1999. The intent of this closure is to prevent overharvest of the coastwide quota established for the General category. The 1999 quota specifications also established a set-aside quota of 10 mt for vessels fishing in the New York Bight area. NMFS will announce the opening date of the General category New York Bight fishery through a separate Federal Register document when it is determined that large medium and giant BFT are available in the New York Bight area. Allowing a few days transition between the closure of the coastwide fishery and the opening of the New York Bight fishery reduces concerns regarding enforcement of regulations applicable to that area, i.e., that upon the effective date of the set-aside fishery, fishing for, retaining, or landing large medium or giant BFT is authorized only within the set-aside area. General category permit holders may tag and release BFT while the General category is closed, subject to the requirements of the tag-and- release program at Sec. 635.26. Vessels permitted in the Charter/ Headboat category that are still eligible for the Angling category trophy fish allowance under Sec. 635.23(c)(1)(2) may land one large medium or giant BFT prior to May 31, 2000. Classification This action is taken under Sec. 635.28(a) and is exempt from review under E.O. 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. and 1801 et seq. Dated: October 1, 1999. Gary C. Matlock, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 99-26099 Filed 10-1-99; 4:29 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F