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###### Department of Commerce

###### National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

          - 50 CFR Part 622
          - [Docket Nos. 090206140-91081-03 and 120405260-4258-02]
          - RIN 0648-XF723

# AGENCY:

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

# ACTION:

Temporary delay in reporting requirements; determination of catastrophic conditions.

# SUMMARY:

                        In accordance with the regulations implementing the individual fishing quota (IFQ) and Federal dealer reporting programs specific to the commercial reef fish fishery in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf), the coastal migratory pelagic (CMP) fisheries in the Gulf and the Atlantic, the spiny lobster fishery of the Gulf and Atlantic, and the snapper-grouper and dolphin-wahoo fisheries in the South Atlantic, the Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, NMFS (RA) has determined that Hurricane Irma has caused catastrophic conditions in the following Florida counties: Manatee, Sarasota, DeSoto, Charlotte, Lee, Collier, Monroe, Miami-Dade, and Broward. Consistent with those regulations, the RA has authorized any dealer in the affected area who does not have access to electronic reporting to delay reporting of trip tickets to NOAA Fisheries from September 29, 2017, through October 31, 2017. The RA has also authorized IFQ participants within this affected area to use paper-based forms, if necessary, for basic required administrative functions,                         *e.g.,*                         landing transactions, from September 29, 2017, through October 31, 2017. This temporary rule announcing the determination of catastrophic conditions and allowance of alternative methods for completing required IFQ and other dealer reporting administrative functions is intended to facilitate continuation of IFQ and dealer reporting operations during the period of catastrophic conditions. NMFS will continue to monitor and evaluate conditions. A subsequent                         **Federal Register**                         notice will be published, if needed.                    

# DATES:

The RA is authorizing applicable Federal dealers and IFQ participants reporting within this affected area to use revised reporting methods from September 29, 2017, through October 31, 2017.

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

                        IFQ Customer Service, telephone: 866-425-7627, fax: 727-824-5308, email:                         *SER-IFQ.Support@noaa.gov.*                         For federal dealer reporting, Fisheries Monitoring Branch, telephone: 305-361-4581.                    

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The reef fish fishery of the Gulf is managed under the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico, prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council. The snapper-grouper fishery of the South Atlantic is managed under the Snapper-Grouper FMP of the South Atlantic, prepared by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. The dolphin-wahoo fishery of the South Atlantic is managed under the Dolphin-Wahoo FMP of the South Atlantic, prepared by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. The fishery for CMP fish (king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, and cobia) is managed under the FMP for the CMP Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic, prepared by both Councils. The fishery for spiny lobster is managed under the FMP for Spiny Lobster of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic, prepared by both Councils. All FMPs are implemented through regulations at 50 CFR part 622 under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).

                    The Generic Dealer Amendment established Federal dealer reporting requirements for federally permitted dealers in the Gulf and South Atlantic (79 FR 19490, April 9, 2014). Amendment 26 to the FMP established an IFQ program for the commercial red snapper component of the Gulf reef fish fishery (71 FR 67447, November 22, 2006). Amendment 29 to the FMP established an IFQ program for the commercial grouper and tilefish components of the Gulf reef fish fishery (74 FR 44732, August 31, 2009). Regulations implementing these IFQ programs (50 CFR 622.21 and 622.22) and the dealer reporting requirements (50 CFR 622.5(c)) require that Federal dealers and IFQ participants have access to a computer and Internet and that they conduct administrative functions associated with dealer reporting and the IFQ program,                     *e.g.,*                     landing transactions, online. However, these regulations also specify that during catastrophic conditions, as determined by the RA, the RA may waive or modify the reporting time requirements for dealers and authorize IFQ participants to use paper-based forms to complete administrative functions for the duration of the catastrophic conditions. The RA must determine that catastrophic conditions exist, specify the duration of the catastrophic conditions, and specify which participants or geographic areas are deemed affected.                

Hurricane Irma made landfall in the U.S. near Cudjoe Key, Florida, as a Category 4 hurricane then made a subsequent landfall near Marco Island, Florida, as a Category 3 hurricane on September 10, 2017. Strong winds and flooding from this hurricane impacted communities throughout Florida, resulting in power outages and damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure. As a result, the RA has determined that catastrophic conditions exist in the following Florida counties: Manatee, Sarasota, DeSoto, Charlotte, Lee, Collier, Monroe, Miami-Dade, and Broward. Through this temporary rule, the RA is authorizing Federal dealers to delay reporting of trip tickets to NOAA Fisheries and IFQ participants within this affected area to use paper-based forms, from September 29, 2017, through October 31, 2017. NMFS will provide additional notification to affected participants via NOAA Weather Radio, Fishery Bulletins, and other appropriate means. NOAA Fisheries will continue to monitor and re-evaluate the areas and duration of the catastrophic conditions.

Dealers may delay electronic reporting of trip tickets to NMFS during catastrophic conditions. Dealers are to report all landings to NMFS as soon as possible. Assistance for Federal dealers in effected areas is available from the Fisheries Monitoring Branch at 1-305-361-4581. NMFS previously provided IFQ dealers with the necessary paper forms (sequentially coded) and instructions for submission in the event of catastrophic conditions. Paper forms are also available from the RA upon request. The electronic systems for submitting information to NMFS will continue to be available to all participants, and participants in the affected area are encouraged to continue using these systems, if accessible.

                    The administrative program functions available to IFQ participants in the area                           ( print page 46171)                        affected by catastrophic conditions will be limited under the paper-based system. There will be no mechanism for transfers of IFQ shares or allocation under the paper-based system in effect during catastrophic conditions. Assistance in complying with the requirements of the paper-based system will be available via the Catch Share Support line, 1-866-425-7627 Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. eastern time.                

## Classification

The Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, NMFS, has determined this temporary rule is necessary for the conservation and management of reef fish, CMP species, spiny lobster, dolphin-wahoo, and snapper-grouper, managed under the Gulf IFQ Programs and the Federal dealer reporting programs, as applicable, and is consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other applicable laws.

This action is taken under 50 CFR 622.5(c), 622.21(a)(3)(iii), and 622.22(a)(3)(iii), and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.

These measures are exempt from the procedures of the Regulatory Flexibility Act because this temporary rule is issued without opportunity for prior notice and comment.

                    Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), there is good cause to waive the requirements to provide prior notice and opportunity for public comment on this temporary rule. Such procedures are unnecessary because the final rules implementing the Gulf IFQ programs and the Gulf and Atlantic Federal dealer reporting have already been subject to notice and public comment. These rules authorize the RA to determine when catastrophic conditions exist, and which participants or geographic areas are deemed affected by catastrophic conditions. The final rules also authorize the RA to provide timely notice to affected participants via publication of notification in the                     **Federal Register**                    , NOAA Weather Radio, Fishery Bulletins, and other appropriate means. All that remains is to notify the public that catastrophic conditions exist and that paper forms may be utilized by IFQ dealers in the affected area and that Federal dealers may submit delayed reports. Additionally, delaying this temporary rule to provide prior notice and opportunity for public comment would be contrary to the public interest because affected participants are still fishing for and receiving these species in the affected area and need a means of completing their landing transactions. With the power outages and damages to infrastructure that have occurred in the affected area due to Hurricane Irma, numerous businesses are unable to complete landings transactions and dealer reports electronically. In order to continue with their businesses, IFQ participants need to be aware they can still complete landing transactions and dealer reports using the paper forms.                

For the aforementioned reasons, the AA 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: September 29, 2017.

Emily H. Menashes,

Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.

[FR Doc. 2017-21329 Filed 9-29-17; 4:15 pm]

 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P