[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 19 (Monday, January 29, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2728-2729]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-1484]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 642

[Docket No. 950725189-5260-02; I.D. 012396A]


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 in the hook-and-line 
fishery for king mackerel in the Florida west coast sub-zone to 50 king 
mackerel 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 50-fish commercial trip limit is effective 12:01 
a.m., local time, January 24, 1996, and remains in effect through June 
30, 1996, unless changed by further notification in the Federal 
Register.

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.
    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 west coast 
sub-zone at 865,000 lb (392,357 kg). That quota was further divided 
into two equal quotas of 432,500 lb (196,179 kg) for vessels in each of 
two groups by gear types--vessels fishing with run-around gillnets and 
vessels using hook- and line gear.
    In accordance with 50 CFR 642.28(b)(2)(ii), from the date that 75 
percent of the sub-zone's commercial quota has been harvested until a 
closure of the Florida west coast sub-zone has 

[[Page 2729]]
been effected or the fishing year ends, king mackerel in or from the 
EEZ may be possessed on board or landed from a permitted vessel in 
amounts not exceeding 50 per day.
    NMFS has determined that 75 percent of the commercial hook-and-line 
quota for Gulf group king mackerel from the Florida west coast sub-zone 
was reached on January 23, 1996. Accordingly, a 50-fish trip limit 
applies to vessels in the commercial hook-and-line fishery for king 
mackerel in or from the EEZ in the Florida west coast sub-zone 
effective 12:01 a.m., local time, January 24, 1996.
    The Florida west coast sub-zone extends from the Alabama/Florida 
boundary (87 deg.31'06'' W. long.) to: (1) The Dade/Monroe County, FL 
boundary (25 deg.20.4' N. lat.) from November 1 through March 31; and 
(2) the Monroe/Collier County, FL boundary (25 deg.48' N. lat.) from 
April 1 through October 31.

Classification

    This action is taken under 50 CFR 642.28(c) and is exempt from 
review under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: January 23, 1996.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 96-1484 Filed 1-23-96; 5:02 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F