Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fisheries; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna

NMFS closes for the 1999 fishing year (June 1, 1999, through May 31, 2000) the Angling category fishery for large medium and giant Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) in the southern area (the waters off Delaware and states south). Fishing for, retaining, possessing, or landing large medium and giant BFT (measuring 73 inches (185 cm) curved fork length or greater) under the Angling category quota is prohibited effective at 11:30 p.m., January 8, 2000. This action is being taken to prevent overharvest of the Angling category southern area subquota for large medium and giant (trophy) BFT.