Source: https://regulations.justia.com/regulations/fedreg/2018/10/04/2018-21616.html
Timestamp: 2019-12-08 10:52:27
Document Index: 139417663

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', 'ART 648', 'art 648', '§ 648', '§ 648', '§ 648', '§ 648', '§ 648', '§ 648', '§ 648', '§ 648', '§ 648', '§ 648', '§ 648', '§ 648', '§ 648', 'art 697']

Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Framework Adjustment 12 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan, 50059-50061 [2018-21616] :: National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration :: Department Of Commerce :: Regulation Tracker :: Justia
Justia Regulation Tracker Department Of Commerce National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Framework Adjustment 12 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan, 50059-50061 [2018-21616]
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Framework Adjustment 12 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan, 50059-50061 [2018-21616]
Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 193 / Thursday, October 4, 2018 / Proposed Rules Dated: October 1, 2018. Margo Schulze-Haugen, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2018–21635 Filed 10–3–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 648 [Docket No. 180807736–8736–01] RIN 0648–BI41 Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Framework Adjustment 12 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments. AGENCY: NMFS proposes to approve and implement measures included in Framework Adjustment 12 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan that would allow the possession of Atlantic mackerel after 100 percent of the domestic annual harvest is projected to be caught. This action proposes to allow the possession of 5,000 lb of Atlantic mackerel after 100 percent of the domestic annual harvest is caught instead of prohibiting the possession of Atlantic mackerel for the rest of the year. This action is necessary to prevent unintended consequences and negative economic impacts to other fisheries. The intended effect of this rule is to notify the public of this proposed measure and to solicit comment on the proposed change. DATES: Public comments must be received by October 19, 2018. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by NOAA– NMFS–2018–0099, by any of the following methods: • Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov/ #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-20180099, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. • Mail: Michael Pentony, Regional Administrator, NMFS, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:40 Oct 03, 2018 Jkt 247001 Mark the outside of the envelope, ‘‘Comments on Mackerel Framework 12.’’ Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/A’’ in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous). Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF formats only. The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council prepared a draft supplemental environmental assessment for the Framework 12 that describes the proposed action and other alternatives considered and provides a thorough analysis of the impacts of the proposed action and alternatives considered. Copies of the Framework 12 including the draft SEA and the preliminary Regulatory Impact Review, analysis are available from: Christopher Moore, Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, Suite 201, 800 State Street, Dover, DE 19901. The SEA/RIR is accessible via the internet at http://www.greateratlantic.fisheries. noaa.gov/ or http://www.mafmc.org. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alyson Pitts, Fishery Management Specialist, (978) 281–9352, Alyson.Pitts@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background When the Atlantic mackerel fishery starts each year, the various mackerel permit categories start with different trip limits. Tier 1 limited access permit holders have an unlimited trip limit, Tier 2 limited access permit holders have a 135,000-lb (61,235-kg) trip limit, and Tier 3 limited access permit holders have a 100,000-lb (45,359-kg) trip limit. The open access incidental permit has a 20,000-lb (9,072-kg) trip limit. When the fishery reaches 95 percent of the domestic annual harvest (DAH), all permits have 20,000-lb (9,072-kg) trip limits. When the fishery reaches 100 percent of the DAH, no mackerel possession is allowed by vessels with Federal mackerel permits. The mackerel fishery also operates under a river herring and shad (RH/S) PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 50059 catch cap, which closes the directed mackerel fishery and implements a 20,000-lb (9,072-kg) trip limit for all permits once the catch cap, currently 82 mt of RH/S, has been projected to be caught in the directed mackerel fishery. In 2018, the RH/S cap closed the mackerel fishery effective February 27, 2018 (83 FR 8635), at which point approximately 88 percent of the mackerel DAH had been harvested. Despite the early mackerel closure due to the RH/S cap, fishery participants, including small-scale mackerel jig fishermen and larger, directed herring fishermen, whose respective fisheries occur late in the year, raised concern to the Council that if mackerel catch reaches 100 percent of its quota and possession goes to zero pounds, they will be negatively impacted. Projections indicate a full closure could occur upon reaching 100 percent of the DAH at some point in November or December of 2018, depending on the pace of mackerel landings. There is a management uncertainty buffer for the mackerel fishery, currently 10 percent of the commercial allocation that is primarily designed to account for the difficulty in closing a high volume fishery, such as mackerel. Where the RH/S cap has already effectively closed the high-volume part of the fishery, the buffer is unlikely to be utilized in its original intent this year. Projections from Council staff suggest that if the fishery does not go to a zero possession limit at 100 percent of the DAH but rather a 5,000-lb (2,268-kg) trip limit, then only an additional 384,000-lb (174,180-kg) would be landed, which is a small part (17 percent) of this year’s management uncertainty buffer. The Atlantic mackerel stock was recently declared overfished, with overfishing occurring in 2016. The Council is preparing a rebuilding plan via a separate action that is on track to be effective in 2019. The projections from the assessment for that action indicate that the stock can be rebuilt in 3-, 5-, or 7-year timelines even if the full management uncertainty buffer is caught this year. The rebuilding plan projections assume that the full management uncertainty buffer will be caught in 2018. Under the proposed change to possession limits when the DAH is harvested, at its June 2018 meeting, the Council recommended to change the trip limit once 100 percent of the DAH is landed, from zero pounds to 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) through Framework 12. The New England Fishery Management Council also discussed the issue in June 2018 and expressed support for an action that would avoid the full E:\FR\FM\04OCP1.SGM 04OCP1 50060 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 193 / Thursday, October 4, 2018 / Proposed Rules prohibition of mackerel possession due to impacts on the herring fishery. This action would allow a 5,000-lb (2,269-kg) possession limit after the DAH has been harvested. The Council has reviewed the proposed regulations in this rule as drafted by NMFS and deemed them to be necessary and appropriate as specified in section 303(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). This rule proposes a 15-day comment period to ensure final measures can be effective by early November to avoid adverse economic impacts on the commercial fishing industry. The Council discussed the development of this action in April and May, and made a final recommendation in June, 2018. Because the public had an opportunity to comment on this action at these meetings, an expedited comment period would allow this action to be effective without compromising public input and our goal of implementing this action by early November. Proposed Measure The proposed measure would allow the possession of 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) of Atlantic mackerel after 100 percent of the DAH has been projected to be harvested. Framework 12 proposes to allow the possession of Atlantic mackerel after 100 percent of the DAH is harvested for the remainder of fishing year 2018. Current regulations prohibit the possession of Atlantic mackerel after 100 percent of the DAH is harvested. daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS Classification Pursuant to section 304(b)(1)(A) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the Assistant Administrator has determined that this proposed rule is consistent with the Framework Adjustment 12, other provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable law, subject to further consideration after public comment. In making a final determination, NMFS will take into account the data, views, and comments received during the comment period. This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866. The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration that this proposed rule, if adopted, would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The purpose, context, and statutory basis for this action is described above and not repeated here. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:40 Oct 03, 2018 Jkt 247001 In determining the significance of the economic impacts of the proposed action, we considered the following two criteria outlined in applicable NMFS guidance: Disproportionality and profitability. The Regulatory Impact Review determined that the proposed measures would not place a substantial number of small entities at a significant competitive disadvantage to large entities. This measure would allow commerce to continue that would otherwise be stopped, and would benefit small business owners and commercial fishing entities. There are no distributional economic effects from this action, as proposed measures would maintain fishing opportunities for Atlantic mackerel and Atlantic herring if 100 percent of the DAH is harvested. The combined mackerel and herring fisheries are worth $50 million or less annually, and only a relatively small portion of the overall fishery may be affected by this action. The proposed measures would allow maintenance of, or a relatively small increase in, fishery landings/revenues. As such, the proposed measures should help maintain the sustainability of the mackerel and herring fisheries, and should positively rather than adversely affect the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or State, local, or tribal governments or communities. List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 648 Fisheries, Fishing, Recordkeeping and reporting requirements. Dated: October 1, 2018. Samuel D. Rauch III, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service. For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 648 is proposed to be amended as follows: PART 648—FISHERIES OF THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES 1. The authority citation for part 648 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. 2. In § 648.14, revise paragraph (g)(2)(ii)(D) and remove and reserve paragraph (g)(2)(ii)(F). The revision reads as follows: ■ § 648.14 Prohibitions. * * * * * (g)* * * (2)* * * (ii)* * * (D) Take and retain, possess, or land mackerel, squid, or butterfish in excess PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 of the possession limits specified in § 648.26. * * * * * ■ 3. In § 648.24, revise paragraph (b)(1)(i) to read as follows: § 648.24 Fishery closures and accountability measures. * * * * * (b) * * * (1)(i) Mackerel commercial sector EEZ closure. NMFS will close the commercial Atlantic mackerel fishery in the EEZ when the Regional Administrator projects that 95 percent of the Atlantic mackerel DAH is harvested if such a closure is necessary to prevent the DAH from being exceeded. The closure of the commercial fishery shall be in effect for the remainder of that fishing year, with incidental catches allowed as specified in § 648.26. When the Regional Administrator projects that 100 percent of the Atlantic mackerel DAH will be landed, NMFS will reduce the possession of Atlantic mackerel in the EEZ for the remainder of the fishing year to the amount specified in § 648.26(a)(2)(ii). * * * * * ■ 4. In § 648.26, revise paragraphs (a)(1) introductory text and (a)(2) to read as follows: § 648.26 Mackerel, squid, and butterfish possession restrictions. (a) * * * (1) Initial possession limits. A vessel must be issued a valid limited access mackerel permit to fish for, possess, or land more than 20,000 lb (9.08 mt) of Atlantic mackerel from or in the EEZ per trip, provided that the fishery has not been closed, as specified in § 648.24(b)(1). * * * * * (2) Closure possession restrictions— (i) Limited Access Fishery. During a closure of the commercial Atlantic mackerel fishery pursuant to § 648.24(b)(1)(i), when 95 percent of the DAH is harvested, vessels issued a limited access Atlantic mackerel permit may not take and retain, possess, or land more than 20,000 lb (9.08 mt) of Atlantic mackerel per trip at any time, and may only land Atlantic mackerel once on any calendar day, which is defined as the 24-hr period beginning at 0001 hours and ending at 2400 hours. Pursuant to § 648.24(b)(1)(ii), when 90 percent of the Tier 3 allocation is harvested, vessels issued a Tier 3 limited access Atlantic mackerel permit may not take and retain, possess, or land more than 20,000 lb (9.08 mt) of Atlantic mackerel per trip at any time, and may only land Atlantic mackerel E:\FR\FM\04OCP1.SGM 04OCP1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 193 / Thursday, October 4, 2018 / Proposed Rules once on any calendar day, which is defined as the 24-hr period beginning at 0001 hours and ending at 2400 hours. (ii) Entire commercial fishery. During a closure of the directed commercial Atlantic mackerel fishery pursuant to § 648.24(b)(1)(i), when 100 percent of the DAH is harvested, vessels issued an open or limited access Atlantic mackerel permit may not take and retain, possess, or land more than 5,000 lb (2.26 mt) of Atlantic mackerel per trip at any time, and may only land Atlantic mackerel once on any calendar day, which is defined as the 24-hr period beginning at 0001 hours and ending at 2400 hours. * * * * * [FR Doc. 2018–21616 Filed 10–3–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 697 [Docket No. 180709616–8616–01] RIN 0648–BI07 Fisheries of the United States; Regulations for Striped Bass Fishing in the Block Island Transit Zone National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking; request for comments. AGENCY: NMFS issues this advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) to provide background information and make the public aware of a proposal to remove the current prohibition on recreational Atlantic striped bass fishing in the Block Island Transit Zone (Transit Zone) within the Federal exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The ANPR is in response to the 2018 Omnibus Appropriations Act which included the provision directing NOAA, in consultation with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, to consider lifting the ban on striped bass fishing in the Federal Block Island Transit Zone. NMFS communicated the intent to issue this ANPR at the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s August 2018 public meeting. By this action, NMFS is soliciting public comment on options presented to regulate fishing for striped bass in the Transit Zone. In addition, comments on other options to improve management of Atlantic striped bass in the Transit Zone are welcomed and encouraged. daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:40 Oct 03, 2018 Jkt 247001 Written comments regarding the issues in this ANPR must be received by 5 p.m., local time, on November 19, 2018. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by NOAA– NMFS–2018–0106, by any of the following methods: • Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail; D=NOAA-NMFS-2018-0106, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. • Mail: Submit written comments to Kelly Denit, Division Chief, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, 1315 East-West Highway, SSMC3, Silver Spring, MD 20910. • Fax: 301–713–1193; Attn: Kelly Denit. Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/ A’’ in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kelly Denit, Division Chief, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service, 301–427–8517. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DATES: Background Atlantic striped bass occur predominately within 12 nautical miles from shore, an area which includes both waters (0–3 miles from shore) under state jurisdiction, as well as portions of the Exclusive Economic Zone (3–200 miles from shore) under Federal jurisdiction. Management responsibility for Atlantic striped bass resides primarily with the coastal states, and interstate management occurs through the Atlantic State Marine Fisheries Commission’s (Commission) Interstate Fisheries Management Plan for the Atlantic Striped Bass (ISFMP), first adopted in 1981. In 1995, the Commission declared the Atlantic striped bass population fully restored and implemented Amendment 5 to the ISFMP to perpetuate the stock so as to allow a commercial and recreational PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 50061 harvest consistent with the long-term maintenance of the striped bass stock. The latest stock assessment update completed in 2016 determined that the Atlantic striped bass stock is not overfished or experiencing overfishing. NMFS promulgates regulations in Federal waters that are compatible with the Commission’s ISFMP. The Atlantic Striped Bass Conservation Act (Pub. L. 100–589, 16 U.S.C. 5151, et seq.) sets forth the basis for Federal striped bass regulatory authority. Under the act, Federal Atlantic striped bass regulations must comply with the following: (1) Be consistent with the national standards in Section 301 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) (16 U.S.C. 1851); (2) be compatible with the fishery management plan for managing Atlantic striped bass and each Federal moratorium in effect on fishing for Atlantic striped bass within the coastal waters of a coastal state; (3) ensure the effectiveness of State regulations on fishing for Atlantic striped bass within the coastal waters of a coastal state; and (4) be sufficient to assure the long-term conservation of Atlantic striped bass populations. Further, in developing the regulations, the Secretary is to consult with the Commission, the appropriate Regional Fishery Management Councils (Councils), and each affected Federal, state, and local government entity. Existing Federal regulations prohibit recreational and commercial fishing for Atlantic striped bass in the EEZ. The regulations do, however, allow fishers to transport Atlantic striped bass caught in adjoining state fisheries while transiting the Block Island Transit Zone (Transit Zone; 50 CFR 697.7). The Transit Zone is defined in NMFS regulations as the area of Federal waters within Block Island Sound, located between areas south of Montauk Point, New York, and Point Judith, Rhode Island. The Transit Zone area is unique because it is a small area of Federal waters (Block Island Sound) substantially bounded by state waters (Long Island, New York on one side, Block Island, Rhode Island on another, and the mainland of Connecticut and Rhode Island on a third side). NMFS is considering revising current regulations to authorize recreational fishing in the Block Island Transit Zone. This would allow recreational fishermen to harvest, retain, and transport striped bass within the Block Island Transit Zone. The ANPR is in response to the 2018 Omnibus Appropriations Act (Pub. L. 115–141) which included the provision directing ‘‘NOAA, in consultation with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries E:\FR\FM\04OCP1.SGM 04OCP1
[Pages 50059-50061]
[FR Doc No: 2018-21616]
[Docket No. 180807736-8736-01]
RIN 0648-BI41
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Framework Adjustment
12 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management
SUMMARY: NMFS proposes to approve and implement measures included in
Framework Adjustment 12 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish
Fishery Management Plan that would allow the possession of Atlantic
mackerel after 100 percent of the domestic annual harvest is projected
to be caught. This action proposes to allow the possession of 5,000 lb
of Atlantic mackerel after 100 percent of the domestic annual harvest
is caught instead of prohibiting the possession of Atlantic mackerel
for the rest of the year. This action is necessary to prevent
unintended consequences and negative economic impacts to other
fisheries. The intended effect of this rule is to notify the public of
this proposed measure and to solicit comment on the proposed change.
DATES: Public comments must be received by October 19, 2018.
NOAA-NMFS-2018-0099, by any of the following methods:
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2018-0099, click the
Mackerel Framework 12.''
Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF formats only.
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council prepared a draft
supplemental environmental assessment for the Framework 12 that
describes the proposed action and other alternatives considered and
provides a thorough analysis of the impacts of the proposed action and
alternatives considered. Copies of the Framework 12 including the draft
SEA and the preliminary Regulatory Impact Review, analysis are
available from: Christopher Moore, Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic
Fishery Management Council, Suite 201, 800 State Street, Dover, DE
19901. The SEA/RIR is accessible via the internet at http://www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/ or http://www.mafmc.org.
Specialist, (978) 281-9352, [email protected].
When the Atlantic mackerel fishery starts each year, the various
mackerel permit categories start with different trip limits. Tier 1
limited access permit holders have an unlimited trip limit, Tier 2
limited access permit holders have a 135,000-lb (61,235-kg) trip limit,
and Tier 3 limited access permit holders have a 100,000-lb (45,359-kg)
trip limit. The open access incidental permit has a 20,000-lb (9,072-
kg) trip limit. When the fishery reaches 95 percent of the domestic
annual harvest (DAH), all permits have 20,000-lb (9,072-kg) trip
limits. When the fishery reaches 100 percent of the DAH, no mackerel
possession is allowed by vessels with Federal mackerel permits.
The mackerel fishery also operates under a river herring and shad
(RH/S) catch cap, which closes the directed mackerel fishery and
implements a 20,000-lb (9,072-kg) trip limit for all permits once the
catch cap, currently 82 mt of RH/S, has been projected to be caught in
the directed mackerel fishery. In 2018, the RH/S cap closed the
mackerel fishery effective February 27, 2018 (83 FR 8635), at which
point approximately 88 percent of the mackerel DAH had been harvested.
Despite the early mackerel closure due to the RH/S cap, fishery
participants, including small-scale mackerel jig fishermen and larger,
directed herring fishermen, whose respective fisheries occur late in
the year, raised concern to the Council that if mackerel catch reaches
100 percent of its quota and possession goes to zero pounds, they will
be negatively impacted. Projections indicate a full closure could occur
upon reaching 100 percent of the DAH at some point in November or
December of 2018, depending on the pace of mackerel landings.
There is a management uncertainty buffer for the mackerel fishery,
currently 10 percent of the commercial allocation that is primarily
designed to account for the difficulty in closing a high volume
fishery, such as mackerel. Where the RH/S cap has already effectively
closed the high-volume part of the fishery, the buffer is unlikely to
be utilized in its original intent this year. Projections from Council
staff suggest that if the fishery does not go to a zero possession
limit at 100 percent of the DAH but rather a 5,000-lb (2,268-kg) trip
limit, then only an additional 384,000-lb (174,180-kg) would be landed,
which is a small part (17 percent) of this year's management
uncertainty buffer.
The Atlantic mackerel stock was recently declared overfished, with
overfishing occurring in 2016. The Council is preparing a rebuilding
plan via a separate action that is on track to be effective in 2019.
The projections from the assessment for that action indicate that the
stock can be rebuilt in 3-, 5-, or 7-year timelines even if the full
management uncertainty buffer is caught this year. The rebuilding plan
projections assume that the full management uncertainty buffer will be
caught in 2018.
Under the proposed change to possession limits when the DAH is
harvested, at its June 2018 meeting, the Council recommended to change
the trip limit once 100 percent of the DAH is landed, from zero pounds
to 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) through Framework 12. The New England Fishery
Management Council also discussed the issue in June 2018 and expressed
support for an action that would avoid the full
[[Page 50060]]
prohibition of mackerel possession due to impacts on the herring
fishery. This action would allow a 5,000-lb (2,269-kg) possession limit
after the DAH has been harvested. The Council has reviewed the proposed
regulations in this rule as drafted by NMFS and deemed them to be
This rule proposes a 15-day comment period to ensure final measures
can be effective by early November to avoid adverse economic impacts on
the commercial fishing industry. The Council discussed the development
of this action in April and May, and made a final recommendation in
June, 2018. Because the public had an opportunity to comment on this
action at these meetings, an expedited comment period would allow this
action to be effective without compromising public input and our goal
of implementing this action by early November.
The proposed measure would allow the possession of 5,000 lb (2,268
kg) of Atlantic mackerel after 100 percent of the DAH has been
projected to be harvested.
Framework 12 proposes to allow the possession of Atlantic mackerel
after 100 percent of the DAH is harvested for the remainder of fishing
year 2018. Current regulations prohibit the possession of Atlantic
mackerel after 100 percent of the DAH is harvested.
consistent with the Framework Adjustment 12, other provisions of the
consideration after public comment. In making a final determination,
NMFS will take into account the data, views, and comments received
The purpose, context, and statutory basis for this action is described
above and not repeated here.
In determining the significance of the economic impacts of the
proposed action, we considered the following two criteria outlined in
applicable NMFS guidance: Disproportionality and profitability. The
Regulatory Impact Review determined that the proposed measures would
not place a substantial number of small entities at a significant
competitive disadvantage to large entities. This measure would allow
commerce to continue that would otherwise be stopped, and would benefit
small business owners and commercial fishing entities. There are no
distributional economic effects from this action, as proposed measures
would maintain fishing opportunities for Atlantic mackerel and Atlantic
herring if 100 percent of the DAH is harvested. The combined mackerel
and herring fisheries are worth $50 million or less annually, and only
a relatively small portion of the overall fishery may be affected by
this action. The proposed measures would allow maintenance of, or a
relatively small increase in, fishery landings/revenues. As such, the
proposed measures should help maintain the sustainability of the
mackerel and herring fisheries, and should positively rather than
adversely affect the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity,
tribal governments or communities.
2. In Sec.  648.14, revise paragraph (g)(2)(ii)(D) and remove and
reserve paragraph (g)(2)(ii)(F).
(D) Take and retain, possess, or land mackerel, squid, or
butterfish in excess of the possession limits specified in Sec.
648.26.
3. In Sec.  648.24, revise paragraph (b)(1)(i) to read as follows:
Sec.  648.24   Fishery closures and accountability measures.
(1)(i) Mackerel commercial sector EEZ closure. NMFS will close the
commercial Atlantic mackerel fishery in the EEZ when the Regional
Administrator projects that 95 percent of the Atlantic mackerel DAH is
harvested if such a closure is necessary to prevent the DAH from being
exceeded. The closure of the commercial fishery shall be in effect for
the remainder of that fishing year, with incidental catches allowed as
specified in Sec.  648.26. When the Regional Administrator projects
that 100 percent of the Atlantic mackerel DAH will be landed, NMFS will
reduce the possession of Atlantic mackerel in the EEZ for the remainder
of the fishing year to the amount specified in Sec.  648.26(a)(2)(ii).
4. In Sec.  648.26, revise paragraphs (a)(1) introductory text and
(a)(2) to read as follows:
Sec.  648.26   Mackerel, squid, and butterfish possession restrictions.
(1) Initial possession limits. A vessel must be issued a valid
limited access mackerel permit to fish for, possess, or land more than
20,000 lb (9.08 mt) of Atlantic mackerel from or in the EEZ per trip,
provided that the fishery has not been closed, as specified in Sec.
648.24(b)(1).
(2) Closure possession restrictions-- (i) Limited Access Fishery.
During a closure of the commercial Atlantic mackerel fishery pursuant
to Sec.  648.24(b)(1)(i), when 95 percent of the DAH is harvested,
vessels issued a limited access Atlantic mackerel permit may not take
and retain, possess, or land more than 20,000 lb (9.08 mt) of Atlantic
mackerel per trip at any time, and may only land Atlantic mackerel once
on any calendar day, which is defined as the 24-hr period beginning at
0001 hours and ending at 2400 hours. Pursuant to Sec.
648.24(b)(1)(ii), when 90 percent of the Tier 3 allocation is
harvested, vessels issued a Tier 3 limited access Atlantic mackerel
permit may not take and retain, possess, or land more than 20,000 lb
(9.08 mt) of Atlantic mackerel per trip at any time, and may only land
[[Page 50061]]
once on any calendar day, which is defined as the 24-hr period
(ii) Entire commercial fishery. During a closure of the directed
commercial Atlantic mackerel fishery pursuant to Sec.  648.24(b)(1)(i),
when 100 percent of the DAH is harvested, vessels issued an open or
limited access Atlantic mackerel permit may not take and retain,
possess, or land more than 5,000 lb (2.26 mt) of Atlantic mackerel per
trip at any time, and may only land Atlantic mackerel once on any
hours and ending at 2400 hours.
[FR Doc. 2018-21616 Filed 10-3-18; 8:45 am]