[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 58 (Wednesday, March 26, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 14352]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-7717]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 640

[Docket No. 970318058-7058-01; I.D. 022597A]
RIN 0648-XX82


Spiny Lobster Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic; 
Rescission of Control Date

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

ACTION: Notice of rescission of control date.

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SUMMARY: The Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery Management 
Councils (Councils) believe that changes in the management of the spiny 
lobster fishery makes a previously announced control date obsolete. 
Therefore, on behalf of the Councils, NMFS announces that the date of 
January 15, 1986, is no longer considered a control date for entry into 
the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic spiny lobster fishery.

EFFECTIVE DATE: March 26, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Georgia Cranmore, 813-570-5305.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The spiny lobster fishery is managed under 
the Fishery Management Plan for the Spiny Lobster Fishery of the Gulf 
of Mexico and South Atlantic (FMP). The FMP was prepared by the 
Councils and is implemented through regulations at 50 CFR part 640, 
under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act.
    A control date of January 15, 1986, was established for the spiny 
lobster fishery in anticipation of a possible Federal limited access 
program for this fishery (51 FR 5713, February 18, 1986). The notice 
announcing this control date stated that anyone entering the fishery 
after January 15, 1986, was not assured of continued participation if a 
limited access system was adopted.
    No limited access program was developed by the Councils. Instead, 
the Councils adopted Florida's management regime for the exclusive 
economic zone (EEZ) off Florida. The commercial fishery is confined 
primarily to Florida waters and the EEZ off Florida. Commercial and 
recreational spiny lobster landings outside Florida are negligible.
    In 1992, NMFS adopted for the EEZ off Florida, Florida's spiny 
lobster trap certificate, trap reduction, and trap identification 
programs (57 FR 56516, November 30, 1992).
    In 1994, NMFS removed the requirement for Federal vessel permits in 
the commercial fishery in the EEZ off Florida (59 FR 53118, October 21, 
1994). The South Atlantic Council determined (at its November 1996 
meeting) and the Gulf Council determined (at its July 1996 meeting) 
that these changes in the management of the spiny lobster fishery make 
the control date obsolete. Therefore, NMFS announces the rescission of 
the January 15, 1986, control date with respect to this fishery.

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

    Dated: March 20, 1997.
C. Karnella,
Acting Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-7717 Filed 3-25-97; 8:45 am]

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