[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 4, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 9718]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-5303]



[[Page 9718]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 950725189-6245-04; I.D. 022697B]


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South 
Atlantic; Trip Limit Reduction

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

ACTION: Trip limit reduction.

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SUMMARY: NMFS reduces the commercial trip limit of king mackerel in the 
Florida east coast sub-zone from 50 to 25 per day in or from the 
exclusive economic zone (EEZ). This trip limit reduction is necessary 
to protect the overfished Gulf king mackerel resource.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The 25-fish commercial trip limit is effective 12:01 
a.m., local time, March 1, 1997, through March 31, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark F. Godcharles, 813-570-5305.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The fishery for coastal migratory pelagic 
fish (king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, cero, cobia, little tunny, 
dolphin, and, in the Gulf of Mexico only, bluefish) is managed under 
the Fishery Management Plan for the Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources 
of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic (FMP). The FMP was prepared by 
the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils 
(Councils) and is implemented by regulations at 50 CFR part 622 under 
the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act.
    Based on the Councils' recommended total allowable catch and the 
allocation ratios in the FMP, NMFS implemented a commercial quota for 
the Gulf migratory group of king mackerel in the Florida east coast 
sub-zone of 865,000 lb (392,357 kg). In accordance with 50 CFR 
622.44(a)(2)(i)(B), from the date that 75 percent of the sub-zone's 
commercial quota has been harvested, provided that the date occurs 
before March 1, until a closure of the Florida east coast sub-zone has 
been effected, king mackerel in or from this sub-zone in the EEZ may be 
possessed on board or landed from a permitted vessel in amounts not 
exceeding 25 per day. The 25-fish trip limit remains in effect through 
March 31, 1997, when the boundary of the Gulf migratory group of king 
mackerel shifts from the east coast to the west coast of Florida, 
unless 100 percent of the commercial quota is reached before March 31, 
in which case the commercial fishery for king mackerel in the Florida 
east coast sub-zone is closed by publication of a notification in the 
Federal Register.
    NMFS has determined that 75 percent of the commercial quota for 
Gulf group king mackerel from the Florida east coast sub-zone was 
reached by February 28, 1997. Accordingly, a 25-fish trip limit applies 
to king mackerel in or from the EEZ in the Florida east coast sub-zone 
effective 12:01 a.m., local time, March 1, 1997.
    The Florida east coast sub-zone extends from 25 deg.20.4' N. lat. 
(due east of the Dade/Monroe County, FL, boundary) to 29 deg.25' N. 
lat. (due east of the Volusia/Flagler County, FL, boundary) from 
November 1 through March 31.

Classification

    This action is taken under 50 CFR 622.44(a)(2)(i)(B) and is exempt 
from review under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: February 27, 1997.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-5303 Filed 2-27-97; 5:02 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F