NMFS postpones the closure of the drift gillnet fishery for swordfish in the Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. On July 9, 1996, NMFS announced a closure date of July 17, 1996. However, NMFS has determined that the adjusted second semiannual subquota for swordfish that may be harvested by drift gillnet will not be reached on or before July 17, 1996, as was previously determined. This closure postponement will allow vessels to continue to fish and is necessary to allow the quota to be reached.