Atlantic Tuna Fisheries; Regulatory Adjustments

NMFS amends the regulations governing the Atlantic bluefin tuna fisheries to suspend for 1997 only, the deadline for Atlantic Tunas permit category changes. This regulatory amendment is necessary to provide vessel owners the opportunity to consider category changes after the effective date of a final rule currently under review by NMFS. Because comments were received on the proposed rule that indicated that the rule could affect the allowable operations of several fishing categories, it is not possible for vessel owners to make final choices prior to the previously established deadline of May 15.