National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration August 31, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Permits1564, 1565, 1566, and 1567 were issued on November 29, 2006; all other permits in this notice were issued on June 30, 2007. All the research actions and the species they affect are listed in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below.

This action serves as a notice that NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary), has determined that South Atlantic gag is undergoing overfishing and is approaching an overfished condition and that South Atlantic vermilion snapper is also experiencing overfishing. NMFS notified the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) of its determination by letter. The Council is required to take action within 1 year following notification by NMFS that overfishing is occurring, a stock is approaching overfishing, a stock is overfished, a stock is approaching an overfished condition, or existing remedial action taken to end overfishing or rebuild an overfished stock has not resulted in adequate progress.

NMFS has determined that the Atlantic tunas General category daily Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) retention limit should be adjusted for the September and October time period of the 2007 fishing year. The adjustment will allow for maximum utilization of the General category quota. Therefore, NMFS increases the daily BFT retention limits to provide enhanced commercial fishing opportunities without risking overharvest of the General category quota.