[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 27 (Thursday, February 8, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8557-8558]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-02516]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[240202-0033]
RIN 0648-XD495


Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Deep-Sea 
Red Crab Fishery; 2024 Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab Specifications

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS is approving specifications for the 2024-2027 Atlantic 
deep-sea red crab fishery, including the annual catch limits and total 
allowable landings limits. This action implements the allowable 2024 
harvest levels, consistent with the Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab Fishery 
Management Plan. This action is necessary to establish allowable red 
crab harvest levels that will prevent overfishing.

DATES: The final specifications for the 2024 Atlantic deep-sea red crab 
fishery are effective March 11, 2024, through February 28, 2025.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the supplemental information report, including the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act Analysis and other supporting documents for 
the specifications, are available from Dr. Cate O'Keefe, Executive 
Director, New England Fishery Management Council, 50 Water Street, Mill 
2, Newburyport, MA 01950 or at https://www.nefmc.org/library/2024-2027-red-crab-specifications.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Allison Murphy, Fishery Policy 
Analyst, (978) 281-9122.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Atlantic deep-sea red crab fishery is managed by the New 
England Fishery Management Council (Council). The Atlantic Deep-Sea Red 
Crab Fishery Management Plan (FMP) includes a specification process 
that requires the Council to recommend, on a triennial basis, an 
acceptable biological catch (ABC), an annual catch limit (ACL), and 
total allowable landings (TAL) every 4 years. The Council's Scientific 
and Statistical Committee (SSC) provides a recommendation to the 
Council for the ABC. The Council makes a recommendation to NMFS on the 
ABC, which cannot exceed the ABC recommendation made by the SSC.

Final Specifications

    The biological and management reference points currently in the FMP 
are used to determine whether overfishing is occurring or if the stock 
is overfished. There is insufficient information on the species to 
establish the maximum sustainable yield, optimum yield, or overfishing 
limit. The ABC is defined in terms of landings instead of total catch 
because there is insufficient information to estimate dead discards of 
red crab. We are approving the Council-recommended specifications for 
the 2024-2027 fishing years that establish a 2,000-metric ton ABC, ACL, 
and TAL. This action implements these specifications for the 2024 
fishing year.
    At the end of each fishing year, we evaluate catch information and 
determine if the quota has been exceeded. If a quota is exceeded, the 
regulations at 50 CFR 648.262(b) require a pound-for-pound reduction of 
the quota in a subsequent fishing year. NMFS will publish a notice in 
the Federal Register of any revisions to the projected specifications 
if an overage occurs. Based on the performance of the 2023 red crab 
fishery, no adjustment is necessary for fishing year 2024. NMFS will 
provide notice of the final 2025-2027 quotas, and any necessary 
reductions, prior to the start of each respective fishing year.

Comments and Responses

    The public comment period for the proposed rule (88 FR 83893, 
December 1, 2023) ended on January 2, 2024. No comments were received 
on the proposed rule.

Changes From the Proposed Rule

    There are no changes from the proposed rule.

Classification

    Pursuant to section 304(b)(1)(A) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the 
NMFS Assistant Administrator has determined that this final rule is 
consistent with the Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab FMP, other provisions of 
the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable law.
    This final rule is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
    The Chief Counsel for Regulation, Department of Commerce, certified 
to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration 
(SBA) during the proposed rule stage that this action would not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial

[[Page 8558]]

number of small entities. The factual basis for the certification was 
published in the proposed rule and is not repeated here. No comments 
were received regarding this certification. As a result, a regulatory 
flexibility analysis was not required and none was prepared.
    This action does not contain a collection of information 
requirement for purposes of the Paperwork Reduction Act.
    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: February 2, 2024.
Samuel D. Rauch, III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-02516 Filed 2-7-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P