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[Federal Register: October 22, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 204)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 64825]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22oc02-15]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No. 011004242-2005-02; I.D. 101102E]

 
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Surfclam 
and Ocean Quahog Fishery; Quota Harvested for Maine Mahogany Quahog 
Fishery

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

ACTION: Commercial quota harvested for Maine mahogany quahog.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the annual quota for the Maine mahogany 
quahog fishery has been harvested. Commercial vessels operating under a 
Maine mahogany quahog permit may not harvest Maine mahogany quahogs 
from the Maine mahogany quahog zone for the remainder of the fishing 
year (through December 31, 2002). Regulations governing the Maine 
mahogany quahog fishery require publication of this notification to 
advise the public of this closure.

DATES: Effective 0001 hrs local time, October 24, 2002, through 2400 
hrs local time, December 31, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Douglas W. Christel, 978-281-9141; fax 
978-281-9135; e-mail <A HREF="mailto:Douglas.Christel@noaa.gov">Douglas.Christel@noaa.gov</A>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The regulations governing the Maine mahogany 
quahog fishery appear at 50 CFR part 648. The regulations establish the 
annual quota for the harvest of mahogany quahogs within the Maine 
mahogany quahog zone at 100,000 Maine bushels (35,150 hL). The quota 
may be revised annually by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council 
(Council) within the range of 17,000 and 100,000 Maine bu (5,975 and 
35,150 hL, respectively). The Maine mahogany quahog zone is defined as 
the area bounded on the east by the U.S.-Canada maritime boundary, on 
the south by a straight line at 43 50' N. lat., and on the north and 
west by the shoreline of Maine.
    The Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator) 
monitors the commercial Maine mahogany quahog quota for each fishing 
year using dealer and other available information to determine when the 
quota is projected to have been harvested. NMFS is required to publish 
a notification in the Federal Register notifying commercial vessel 
permit holders that, effective upon a specific date, the Maine mahogany 
quahog quota has been harvested and no commercial quota is available 
for harvesting mahogany quahogs by vessels possessing a Maine mahogany 
quahog permit for the remainder of the year, from within the Maine 
mahogany quahog area.
    The Regional Administrator has determined, based upon dealer 
reports and other available information, that the 2002 Maine mahogany 
quahog quota has been harvested. Therefore, effective 0001 hrs local 
time, October 24, 2002, further landings of Maine mahogany quahogs 
harvested from within the Maine mahogany quahog area by vessels 
possessing a Maine mahogany quahog Federal fisheries permit are 
prohibited through December 31, 2002. The 2003 fishing year for Maine 
mahogany quahog harvest will open on January 1, 2003.

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: October 15, 2002.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 02-26694 Filed 10-16-02; 3:59 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S

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