Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Swordfish Quota Adjustment

NMFS adjusts the June 1, 1999, through May 31, 2000, directed category quota for North Atlantic swordfish to account for underharvest from the prior fishing year. The directed category annual quota is adjusted to 2,427.38 metric tons dressed weight (mt dw). The 1999-2000 season for North Atlantic swordfish incidental catch category quota remains at 300 mt dw. The annual directed catch category quota for the South Atlantic swordfish fishery remains at 289 mt dw. This action is required under management measures adopted in the Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish, and Sharks (HMS FMP), and is consistent with the criteria for swordfish quota transfers established at 50 CFR part 635.