[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 15 (Monday, January 25, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3650-3651]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-1588]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 961204340-7087-02; I.D. 011999D]


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South 
Atlantic; Closure

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

ACTION: Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS closes the commercial run-around gillnet fishery for king 
mackerel in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the Florida west coast 
subzone. This closure is necessary to protect the overfished Gulf king 
mackerel resource.

DATES: Effective 12:00 noon, local time, January 20, 1999, through June 
30, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Godcharles, 727-570-5305.

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 under the authority of the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act by regulations at 50 
CFR part 622.
    Based on the Councils' recommended total allowable catch and the 
allocation ratios in the FMP, on February 19, 1998 (63 FR 8353), NMFS 
implemented a commercial quota for the Gulf of Mexico migratory group 
of king mackerel in the Florida west coast subzone of 1.17 million lb 
(0.53 million kg). That quota was further divided into two equal quotas 
of 585,000 lb (265,352 kg) for vessels in each of two groups by gear 
types--vessels fishing with run-around gillnets and those using hook-
and-line gear (50 CFR 622.42(c)(1)(i)(A)(2)).
    Under 50 CFR 622.43(a)(3), NMFS is required to close any segment of 
the king mackerel commercial fishery when its quota has been reached or 
is projected to be reached by filing a notification at the Office of 
the Federal Register. NMFS has determined that the

[[Page 3651]]

commercial quota of 585,000 lb (265,352 kg) for Gulf group king 
mackerel for vessels using run-around gillnets in the Florida west 
coast subzone was reached on January 19, 1999. Accordingly, the 
commercial fishery for king mackerel for such vessels in the Florida 
west coast subzone is closed effective 12:00 noon, local time, January 
20, 1999, through June 30, 1999, the end of the fishing year.
    The Florida west coast subzone extends from 87 deg.31'06'' W. long. 
(due south of the Alabama/Florida boundary) to: (1) 25 deg.20.4' N. 
lat. (due east of the Dade/Monroe County, FL, boundary) through March 
31, 1999; and (2) 25 deg.48' N. lat. (due west of the Monroe/Collier 
County, FL, boundary) from April 1, 1999, through October 31, 1999.

Classification

    This action is taken under 50 CFR 622.43(a)(3) and is exempt from 
review under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: January 20, 1999.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-1588 Filed 1-20-99; 1:37 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F