National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration August 28, 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS has determined that the Atlantic tunas General category daily Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) retention limit should be adjusted for the September, October-November, and December time periods of the 2009 fishing year, based on consideration of the determination criteria regarding inseason adjustments. This action applies to Atlantic Tunas General category permitted vessels and Highly Migratory Species Charter/Headboat category permitted vessels (when fishing commercially for BFT). NMFS has also determined that a quota transfer to allow continued fishing in the Harpoon category is appropriate, and therefore transfers 25 metric tons (mt) from the Reserve to the Harpoon category for the remainder of the 2009 fishing year. This action applies to Atlantic Tunas Harpoon category permitted vessels.

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold Meetings of its Limited Access Privilege Program (LAPP) Committee, Spiny Lobster Committee, Mackerel Committee, a joint meeting of its Executive and Finance Committees, Law Enforcement Committee, Snapper Grouper Committee, joint Ecosystem-Based Management and Habitat Committees, Golden Crab Committee, and Dolphin Wahoo Committee, and a meeting of the full Council. There will also be a swearing in of new Council members. The Council will hold an informal public question and answer session with NMFS Regional Administrator and Council Chairman as well as open public comment periods relative to agenda items. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for additional details.