[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 196 (Tuesday, October 10, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 60118]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-25958]



[[Page 60118]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 635

[I.D. 100300B]


Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fisheries; Atlantic Bluefin 
Tuna

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

ACTION: Adjustment of General category daily retention limit on 
previously designated restricted fishing days.

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SUMMARY: NMFS has determined that the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) 
General category restricted fishing day (RFD) schedule should be 
adjusted; i.e., certain RFDs should be waived in order to allow for 
maximum utilization of the General category subquota for the October--
December fishing period. Therefore, NMFS increases the daily retention 
limit from zero to one large medium or giant BFT on the following 
previously designated RFDs for 2000: October 7, 10, 14, and 15.

DATES: Effective October 4, 2000.

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.) and the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-
Stevens 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. General category effort controls (including time-period 
subquotas and RFDs) are specified annually under 50 CFR 635.23(a) and 
635.27(a). The 2000 General category effort controls were specified on 
July 7, 2000 (65 FR 42883, July 12, 2000).

Adjustment of Daily Retention Limit for Selected Dates

    Under 50 CFR 635.23(a)(4), NMFS may increase or decrease the daily 
retention limit of large medium and giant BFT over a range from zero 
(on RFDs) to a maximum of three per vessel to allow for maximum 
utilization of the quota for BFT. Catch rates have continued to vary 
this season, and NMFS recognizes that at this time of year they can be 
very dependent on weather conditions. In addition, due to the temporal 
and geographical nature of the fishery, certain gear types and areas 
are more productive at various times during the fishery. Based on a 
review of dealer reports, daily landing trends, the availability of BFT 
on the fishing grounds, and weather conditions, NMFS has determined 
that adjustment to the RFD schedule, and, therefore, an increase of the 
daily retention limit for certain previously designated RFDs, is 
necessary. Therefore, NMFS adjusts the daily retention limit for 
October 7, 10, 14, and 15, 2000, to one large medium or giant BFT per 
vessel. NMFS has selected these days in order to give adequate advance 
notice to fishery participants and NMFS enforcement.
    The intent of this adjustment is to allow for maximum utilization 
of the General category subquotas for the October--December fishing 
period (specified under 50 CFR 635.27(a)) by General category 
participants in order to help achieve optimum yield in the General 
category fishery, to collect a broad range of data for stock monitoring 
purposes, and to be consistent with the objectives of the Fishery 
Management Plan for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish and Sharks. For these 
same reasons, NMFS has already adjusted the General category daily 
retention limit for ten previously scheduled RFDs in July and August 
(65 FR 46654, July 31, 2000), and six previously scheduled RFDs in 
September (65 FR 54970, September 12, 2000). The remaining previously 
scheduled RFD (which has not been waived) corresponds to a market 
closure in Japan, and could promote better ex-vessel prices.

Classification

    This action is taken under 50 CFR 635.23(a)(4) and is exempt from 
review under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: October 4, 2000.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 00-25958 Filed 10-4-00; 4:45 pm]
BILLING CODE: 3510-22-S