NMFS has projected that the driftnet directed fishery quota of 41.6 metric tons (mt) dressed weight (dw) for the 1998 North Atlantic swordfish season (opens August 1, 1998) will be reached on or before August 12, 1998. Consequently, NMFS closes the driftnet directed fishery for the North Atlantic swordfish management unit, effective 11:30 p.m. on August 14, 1998. All swordfish must be offloaded by driftnet vessels by the time of the closure.