[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 245 (Monday, December 22, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66828-66829]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-33300]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 285

[I.D. 121597C]


Atlantic Tuna Fisheries; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna

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

ACTION: Closure; catch limit adjustment.

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SUMMARY: NMFS closes the fishery for large medium and giant Atlantic 
bluefin tuna (ABT) conducted by Angling category fishermen in the 
southern area (the waters off Delaware and states south). Closure of 
this fishery is necessary because the 4 metric tons (mt) of large 
medium and giant ABT allocated for this subcategory is projected to be 
attained by December 17, 1997. The intent of this action is to prevent 
overharvest of this subcategory. In addition, effective January 1, 
1998, the daily catch limit for ABT is adjusted to one fish per vessel, 
which may be from the school, large school, or small medium size class. 
This action is being taken to lengthen the fishing season and ensure 
reasonable fishing opportunities in all geographic areas without 
risking overharvest of the Angling category.

DATES: The closure is effective 11:30 p.m., local time, December 17, 
1997, through December 31, 1997. The daily catch limit adjustment is 
effective 12:30 a.m., local time, January 1, 1998, until the end of the 
1998 winter fishery. NMFS will publish a subsequent document specifying 
a closure or any additional adjustment.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah McLaughlin, 301-713-2347, or Pat 
Scida, 978-281-9208.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations implemented under the authority 
of the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.) governing 
the harvest of ABT by persons and vessels subject to U.S. jurisdiction 
are found at 50 CFR part 285.

Closure

    Implementing regulations for the Atlantic tuna fisheries at 50 CFR 
285.22 provide for a total annual quota of 4 mt of large medium and 
giant ABT (measuring greater than 73 inches (185 cm)) to be harvested 
in the southern area (south of 38 deg.47' N. lat.) by vessels permitted 
in the Angling category or the Charter/Headboat category. NMFS is 
required, under Sec. 285.20(b)(1), to monitor the catch and landing 
statistics and, on the basis of these statistics, to project a date 
when the catch of ABT will equal the quota applicable to any period.
    As of December 15, 1997, reported recreational fishery landings of 
large medium and giant ABT in the southern area totaled approximately 
3.8 mt. Information on fishing effort and catch rates available to NMFS 
indicates that the remaining quota is likely to be taken by the closure 
date. Therefore, fishing for, retaining, possessing, or landing large 
medium or giant ABT in the southern area by vessels in the Angling 
category or Charter/Headboat category must cease at 11:30 p.m., local 
time, December 17, 1997. This action is to prevent overharvest of the 
quota established for this subcategory. Recreational anglers may 
continue to fish for large medium and giant ABT under the NMFS tag and 
release program (50 CFR 285.27). The Angling category trophy fishery 
for large medium and giant ABT remains open in the northern area until 
further notice.

Catch Limit Adjustment

    Implementing regulations for the Atlantic tuna fisheries at 
Sec. 285.24 allow for adjustments to the daily catch limits in order to 
lengthen the fishing season and ensure reasonable fishing opportunities 
for all geographic areas. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, 
NOAA, may increase or reduce the per angler catch limit for any size 
class bluefin tuna or may change the per angler limit to a per boat 
limit or a per boat limit to a per angler limit.
    The 1997 Angling category fishery closed effective October 19, 1997 
(62 FR 53247, October 14, 1997). The 1998 Angling category fishery for 
ABT measuring 27 inches and greater will open January 1, 1998. NMFS 
adjusts the daily catch limit, effective January 1, 1998 as follows: No 
more than one bluefin tuna may be retained each day per Angling 
category vessel, which may be from the school, large school, or small 
medium size class. Based on the high catch rates and large average size 
of ABT landed during the first few months of 1997, this action is being 
taken to lengthen the fishing season and ensure reasonable fishing 
opportunities in all geographic areas without risking overharvest.
    Charter/Headboat vessels, when engaged in recreational fishing for 
school, large school, and small medium ABT, are subject to the same 
rules as Angling category vessels. The trophy fish catch limit of one-
per-vessel-per-year will remain in effect for 1998.
    Subsequent adjustments to the daily catch limit, if any, shall be 
announced through publication in the Federal Register. In addition, 
anglers may call the Atlantic Tunas Information Line at 301-713-1279 or 
978-281-9305 for updates on quota monitoring and catch limit 
adjustments.

Classification

    This action is taken under 50 CFR 285.20(b)(1) and 285.24(d)(3) and 
is exempt from review under E.O. 12866.

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


[[Page 66829]]


    Dated: December 16, 1997.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 97-33300 Filed 12-17-97; 3:35 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F