[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 127 (Friday, June 30, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 40538]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-16526]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 635

[I.D. 061500D]


Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fisheries; Atlantic Bluefin 
Tuna

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

ACTION: Harpoon category closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS has determined that the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) 
Harpoon category annual quota for the 2000 fishing year will be 
attained by June 26, 2000. Therefore, the 2000 Harpoon category fishery 
will be closed effective at 11:30 p.m. on June 26, 2000. This action is 
being taken to prevent overharvest of the Harpoon category quota.

DATES: Effective 11:30 p.m. local time on June 26, 2000, through May 
31, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pat Scida or Brad McHale, 978-281-
9260.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations implemented under the authority 
of the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (16 U.S.C. 971 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(a) subdivides the U.S. 
quota recommended by the International Commission for the Conservation 
of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) among the various domestic fishing 
categories.

Harpoon 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 reached. On and after the 
effective date and time of such notification, for the remainder of the 
fishing year or for a specified period as indicated in the notice, 
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 notice.
    The proposed 2000 BFT quota specifications issued pursuant to 50 
CFR 635.27 would set a quota of 54.1 mt of large medium and giant BFT 
to be harvested from the regulatory area by vessels permitted in the 
Harpoon category during the 2000 fishing year (65 FR 33513, May 24, 
2000). NMFS expects to issue final quota specifications by early July 
2000, and based on comments received and the international quota 
mandated by ICCAT, does not anticipate changes to the proposed Harpoon 
category quota. Based on reported landings and effort, NMFS projects 
that this quota will be reached by June 26, 2000. Therefore, fishing 
for, retaining, possessing, or landing large medium or giant BFT by 
vessels in the Harpoon category must cease at 11:30 p.m. local time on 
June 26, 2000.
    The intent of this closure is to prevent overharvest of the quota 
proposed for the Harpoon category. In the event the Harpoon category 
landings amount to less than the final Harpoon category quota, NMFS 
would consider reopening the fishery.

Classification

    This action is taken under Secs. 635.27(a) and 635.28 (a)(1) and is 
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. and 1801 et seq.

    Dated: June 26, 2000.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 00-16526 Filed 6-26-00; 4:35 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F