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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 228 (Tuesday, November 26, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 93220-93221]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-27699]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 211217-0261; RTID 0648-XE473]

Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico; 2024 Commercial and 
Recreational Accountability Measure and Closures for Gulf of Mexico 
Lane Snapper

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS implements an accountability measure (AM) for the lane 
snapper commercial and recreational sectors in the exclusive economic 
zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) for the 2024 fishing year 
through this temporary rule. NMFS projects that the 2024 stock annual 
catch limit (ACL) for Gulf lane snapper has been reached. Therefore, 
NMFS closes the commercial and recreational sectors for Gulf lane 
snapper on November 26, 2024, and they will remain closed through 
December 31, 2024. These closures are necessary to protect the Gulf 
lane snapper resource.

DATES: This temporary rule is effective from 12:01 a.m., local time, on 
November 26, 2024, through December 31, 2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank Helies, NMFS Southeast Regional 
Office, 727-824-5305, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the Gulf reef fish fishery, 
which includes lane snapper, under the Fishery Management Plan for the 
Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP). The FMP was prepared 
by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council), approved by 
the Secretary of Commerce, and is implemented by NMFS under the 
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) through regulations at 50 CFR part 622. All 
lane snapper weights discussed in this temporary rule are in round 
weight.
    The current stock ACL for Gulf lane snapper was implemented on 
October 18, 2024, and is 1,088,873 lb (493,904 kg) (50 CFR 622.41(k)) 
(89 FR 76438, September 18, 2024). As specified in 50 CFR 622.41(k), if 
the sum of the commercial and recreational landings reaches or is 
projected to reach the stock ACL, NMFS will close the commercial and 
recreational sectors for the remainder of the fishing year. Based on 
latest landings estimates, which were available in October 2024, NMFS 
has determined that the stock ACL for Gulf lane snapper has been 
reached. Accordingly, this temporary rule closes the commercial and 
recreational sectors for Gulf lane snapper effective at 12:01 a.m., 
local time, on November 26, 2024, and both sectors will remain closed 
through the end of the current fishing year on December 31, 2024.
    During the commercial and recreational closures, all harvest or 
possession in or from the Gulf EEZ of lane snapper is prohibited. The 
prohibition on possession of Gulf lane snapper also applies in Gulf 
state waters for a vessel issued a valid Federal charter vessel/
headboat permit for Gulf reef fish. During the closures, the operator 
of a vessel with a valid commercial vessel permit for Gulf reef fish 
having lane snapper on board must

[[Page 93221]]

have landed and bartered, traded, or sold such lane snapper prior to 
12:01 a.m., local time, on November 26, 2024. The prohibition on the 
sale or purchase of lane snapper does not apply to fish that were 
harvested, landed, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, on 
November 26, 2024, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or 
processor.

Classification

    NMFS issues this action pursuant to section 305(d) of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act. This action is required by 50 CFR 622.41(k), which was 
issued pursuant to section 304(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and is 
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
    Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), there is good cause to waive prior 
notice and opportunity for public comment on this action, as prior 
notice and public comment are unnecessary and contrary to the public 
interest. Such procedures are unnecessary because the regulation 
authorizing this temporary closure, 50 CFR 622.41(k), has already been 
subject to prior notice and public comment, and all that remains is to 
notify the public of the closure. Prior notice and opportunity for 
public comment are contrary to the public interest because there is a 
need to immediately implement this action to protect the lane snapper 
stock. Prior notice and opportunity for public comment would require 
time and allow for additional harvest in excess of the stock ACL.
    For the aforementioned reasons, the Assistant Administrator also 
finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in the effectiveness of this 
action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3).

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: November 21, 2024.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-27699 Filed 11-21-24; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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