[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 37 (Friday, February 24, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 10333]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-4499]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 642

[Docket No. 940710-4292; I.D. 021795C]


Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and 
South Atlantic

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 Atlantic group 
Spanish mackerel in the southern zone to 500 lb (227 kg) per day in or 
from the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). This trip limit reduction is 
necessary to protect the Atlantic Spanish mackerel resource.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The 500-lb (227-kg) commercial trip limit is effective 
February 21, 1995, and remains in effect through March 31, 1995.

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 642 under 
the authority of the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act.
    An adjusted allocation and commercial trip limits were recommended 
by the Councils and implemented by NMFS for Atlantic migratory group 
Spanish mackerel from the southern zone. As set forth at 50 CFR 
642.27(b), the adjusted allocation is 4.35 million lb (1.97 million 
kg). In accordance with 50 CFR 642.27(a)(2)(iv), after 100 percent of 
the adjusted allocation of Atlantic group Spanish mackerel from the 
southern zone is taken, Spanish mackerel in or from the EEZ in the 
southern zone may not be possessed aboard or landed from a vessel in a 
day in amounts exceeding 500 lb (227 kg).
    NMFS has determined that 100 percent of the adjusted allocation for 
Atlantic group Spanish mackerel from the southern zone will be taken by 
February 20, 1995. Accordingly, the 500-lb (227-kg) per day commercial 
trip limit applies to Spanish mackerel in or from the EEZ in the 
southern zone effective 12:01 a.m., local time, February 21, 1995.
    The southern zone of Atlantic group Spanish mackerel extends from 
the Georgia/Florida boundary (30 deg.42'45.6''' N. lat.) southward to 
the Dade/Monroe County, FL, boundary (25 deg.20.4' N. lat.).

Classification

    This action is taken under 50 CFR 642.27(a)(2)(iv) and (b) and is 
exempt from review under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: February 17, 1995.
Fred Bilik,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-4499 Filed 2-17-95; 4:42 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F