Atlantic Billfishes; Atlantic Blue Marlin and Atlantic White Marlin Size Limits; Billfish Tournament Notification Requirements
other · marlin · Published 1998-03-24 · Effective 1998-03-27 · 63 FR 14030
Document
Document number
98-7629
Federal Register citation
63 FR 14030
Type
Rule
Action
Interim rule; request for comments.
Category
other
Species
marlin
Publication date
1998-03-24
Effective date
1998-03-27
NOAA docket
Docket No. 980305056-8056-01
Abstract
This interim rule increases the minimum size limits for Atlantic blue marlin (BUM) and Atlantic white marlin (WHM) to 96 inches (244 cm) lower jaw-fork length (LJFL) and 66 inches (168 cm) LJFL, respectively, and specifies requirements to notify NMFS of tournaments involving any Atlantic billfish at least 4 weeks prior to commencement. NMFS invites public comments on the increase in minimum size limits. Public hearings on this issue will be announced in the Federal Register at a later date. The intended effect of this interim rule is to reduce overfishing of BUM and WHM, and to implement a recommendation of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT).