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Timestamp: 2020-02-24 15:46:32
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Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2016 Commercial Accountability Measures and Closure for Blueline Tilefish in the South Atlantic Region, 33150-33151 [2016-12351] :: 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 Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2016 Commercial Accountability Measures and Closure for Blueline Tilefish in the South Atlantic Region, 33150-33151 [2016-12351]
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2016 Commercial Accountability Measures and Closure for Blueline Tilefish in the South Atlantic Region, 33150-33151 [2016-12351]
Download as PDF 33150 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 101 / Wednesday, May 25, 2016 / Rules and Regulations DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 622 [Docket No. 141107936–5399–02] RIN 0648–XE606 Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; ReOpening of Commercial Sector for South Atlantic Gray Triggerfish; January Through June Season National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; re-opening. AGENCY: NMFS announces the reopening of the commercial sector for gray triggerfish in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic through this temporary rule. The most recent commercial landings of gray triggerfish indicate the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) for the January through June fishing season has not yet been reached. Therefore, NMFS reopens the commercial sector for gray triggerfish in the South Atlantic EEZ for 18 days to allow the commercial ACL to be caught, while minimizing the risk of the commercial ACL being exceeded. DATES: This rule is effective 12:01 a.m., local time, June 13, 2016, until 12:01 a.m., local time, July 1, 2016. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Vara, NMFS Southeast Regional Office, telephone: 727–824–5305, email: mary.vara@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The snapper-grouper fishery of the South Atlantic includes gray triggerfish and is managed under the Fishery Management Plan for the SnapperGrouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (FMP). The FMP was prepared by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council and is implemented by NMFS under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) by regulations at 50 CFR part 622. The commercial ACL (equal to the commercial quota) for gray triggerfish during the January through June fishing season is 156,162 lb (70,834 kg), round weight, as specified in 50 CFR 622.190(a)(8)(i). Under 50 CFR 622.193(q)(1)(i), NMFS is required to close the commercial sector for gray triggerfish when the commercial quota for the January through June fishing season specified in § 622.190(a)(8)(i) is Lhorne on DSK30JT082PROD with RULES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:51 May 24, 2016 Jkt 238001 reached, or is projected to be reached, by filing a notification to that effect with the Office of the Federal Register. NMFS previously projected that the commercial quota for South Atlantic gray triggerfish for the January through June fishing season would be reached by April 2, 2016. Accordingly, NMFS published a temporary rule to implement accountability measures (AMs) to close the commercial sector for South Atlantic gray triggerfish effective from April 2, 2016, until the start of the July through December fishing season on July 1, 2016 (81 FR 17094, March 28, 2016). However, the most recent landings data for gray triggerfish indicate the commercial quota has not been reached. Consequently and in accordance with 50 CFR 622.8(c), NMFS temporarily reopens the commercial sector for gray triggerfish on June 13, 2016. The commercial sector will remain open for 18 days until the July through December fishing season begins on July 1, 2016. Re-opening the commercial sector on June 13, 2016, through June 30, 2016, allows for an additional opportunity to commercially harvest gray triggerfish, minimizes the risk of the commercial quota being exceeded, and allows fishermen to harvest gray triggerfish without a closure period until the next fishing season begins on July 1, 2016. Classification The Regional Administrator, NMFS Southeast Region, has determined this temporary rule is necessary for the conservation and management of gray triggerfish and the South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery and is consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other applicable laws. This action is taken under 50 CFR 622.8(c) and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. These measures are exempt from the procedures of the Regulatory Flexibility Act because the temporary rule is issued without opportunity for prior notice and comment. This action responds to the best scientific information available. The Assistant Administrator for NOAA Fisheries (AA), finds that the need to immediately implement this action to temporarily re-open the commercial sector for gray triggerfish constitutes good cause to waive the requirements to provide prior notice and opportunity for public comment pursuant to the authority set forth in 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), as such procedures are unnecessary and contrary to the public interest. Such procedures are unnecessary because the rule implementing the commercial quota and AMs has been subject to PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 notice and comment, and all that remains is to notify the public of the reopening. Such procedures are contrary to the public interest because of the need to immediately implement this action to allow commercial fishermen to harvest the commercial quota of gray triggerfish from the EEZ, while minimizing the risk of exceeding the commercial quota. Prior notice and opportunity for public comment would require time and would delay the reopening of the commercial sector. 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: May 20, 2016. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2016–12356 Filed 5–24–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 622 [Docket No. 140501394–5279–02] RIN 0648–XE629 Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2016 Commercial Accountability Measures and Closure for Blueline Tilefish in the South Atlantic Region National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. AGENCY: NMFS implements accountability measures (AMs) for commercial blueline tilefish in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic. Commercial landings for blueline tilefish are projected to reach the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) by June 1, 2016. Therefore, NMFS is closing the commercial sector for blueline tilefish in the South Atlantic EEZ at 12:01 a.m., local time, June 1, 2016, and it will remain closed until the start of the next fishing season on January 1, 2017. This closure is necessary to protect the blueline tilefish resource. DATES: This rule is effective at 12:01 a.m., local time, June 1, 2016, until 12:01 a.m., local time, January 1, 2017. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Vara, NMFS Southeast Regional SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\25MYR1.SGM 25MYR1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 101 / Wednesday, May 25, 2016 / Rules and Regulations Lhorne on DSK30JT082PROD with RULES Office, telephone: 727–824–5305, email: mary.vara@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The snapper-grouper fishery of the South Atlantic includes blueline tilefish and is managed under the Fishery Management Plan for the SnapperGrouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (FMP). The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council and NMFS prepared the FMP, and the FMP is implemented under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) by regulations at 50 CFR part 622. In Amendment 32 to the FMP (Amendment 32), NMFS implemented management measures to end overfishing of blueline tilefish. The final rule for Amendment 32 was effective on March 30, 2015 (80 FR 16583, March 30, 2015). NMFS is required to close the commercial sector for blueline tilefish when the commercial ACL is reached, or is projected to be reached, by filing a notification to that effect with the Office of the Federal Register, as specified in 50 CFR 622.193(z)(1)(i). For 2016, the commercial ACL for blueline tilefish is 26,766 lb (12,141 kg), round weight. NMFS has projected that the commercial ACL for South Atlantic blueline tilefish will be reached by June 1, 2016. Accordingly, the commercial sector for South Atlantic blueline tilefish is closed effective at 12:01 a.m., local time, June 1, 2016, until 12:01 a.m., local time, January 1, 2017. The operator of a vessel with a valid commercial vessel permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper having blueline tilefish on board must have landed and bartered, traded, or sold such blueline tilefish prior to June 1, 2016. During the closure, all sale or purchase of blueline tilefish is prohibited and harvest or possession of blueline tilefish in or from the South Atlantic EEZ is limited to the bag and possession limits specified in 50 CFR 622.187(b)(2)(iv) and 622.187(c)(1), respectively. These bag and possession limits apply in the South Atlantic on board a vessel for which a valid Federal commercial or charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic snappergrouper has been issued, without regard to where such species were harvested, i.e., in state or Federal waters. consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other applicable laws. This action is taken under 50 CFR 622.193(z)(1)(i) and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. These measures are exempt from the procedures of the Regulatory Flexibility Act because the temporary rule is issued without opportunity for prior notice and comment. This action responds to the best scientific information available. The Assistant Administrator for NOAA Fisheries (AA) finds that the need to immediately implement this action to close the commercial sector for blueline tilefish constitutes good cause to waive the requirements to provide prior notice and opportunity for public comment pursuant to the authority set forth in 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), as such prior notice and opportunity for public comment are unnecessary and contrary to the public interest. Such procedures are unnecessary because the regulations at 50 CFR 622.193(z)(1)(i) and (iii) have already been subject to notice and 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 blueline tilefish, since the capacity of the fishing fleet allows for rapid harvest of the commercial ACL. Prior notice and opportunity for public comment would require time and would potentially result in a harvest well in excess of the established commercial ACL. 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. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2016–12351 Filed 5–24–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P Classification The Regional Administrator for the NMFS Southeast Region has determined this temporary rule is necessary for the conservation and management of blueline tilefish and the South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery and is VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:51 May 24, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 33151 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 150818742–6210–02] RIN 0648–XE644 Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; Deep-Water Species Fishery and Shallow-Water Species Fishery by Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Gulf of Alaska National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. AGENCY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for species that comprise the deep-water species fishery and the shallow-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the second seasonal apportionment of the Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for each of these trawl fishery categories in the GOA has been reached. DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), May 20, 2016, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., July 1, 2016. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh Keaton, 907–586–7228. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the GOA exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council under authority of the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Regulations governing fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. The second seasonal apportionments of the Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the deep-water species and the shallow-water species fisheries in the GOA are 256 metric tons (mt) and 85 mt, respectively. These apportionments were established by the final 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (81 FR 14740, March 18, 2016), for the period 1200 hours, A.l.t., April 1, 2016, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., July 1, 2016. In accordance with § 679.21(d)(6)(i), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that the second seasonal apportionment of the combined Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl deepwater species and shallow-water species SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\25MYR1.SGM 25MYR1
[Pages 33150-33151]
[FR Doc No: 2016-12351]
[Docket No. 140501394-5279-02]
RIN 0648-XE629
2016 Commercial Accountability Measures and Closure for Blueline
Tilefish in the South Atlantic Region
blueline tilefish in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South
Atlantic. Commercial landings for blueline tilefish are projected to
reach the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) by June 1, 2016.
Therefore, NMFS is closing the commercial sector for blueline tilefish
in the South Atlantic EEZ at 12:01 a.m., local time, June 1, 2016, and
it will remain closed until the start of the next fishing season on
January 1, 2017. This closure is necessary to protect the blueline
tilefish resource.
DATES:  This rule is effective at 12:01 a.m., local time, June 1, 2016,
[[Page 33151]]
Atlantic includes blueline tilefish and is managed under the Fishery
Region (FMP). The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council and NMFS
prepared the FMP, and the FMP is implemented under the authority of the
In Amendment 32 to the FMP (Amendment 32), NMFS implemented
management measures to end overfishing of blueline tilefish. The final
rule for Amendment 32 was effective on March 30, 2015 (80 FR 16583,
March 30, 2015).
NMFS is required to close the commercial sector for blueline
tilefish when the commercial ACL is reached, or is projected to be
Federal Register, as specified in 50 CFR 622.193(z)(1)(i). For 2016,
the commercial ACL for blueline tilefish is 26,766 lb (12,141 kg),
round weight. NMFS has projected that the commercial ACL for South
Atlantic blueline tilefish will be reached by June 1, 2016.
Accordingly, the commercial sector for South Atlantic blueline tilefish
is closed effective at 12:01 a.m., local time, June 1, 2016, until
12:01 a.m., local time, January 1, 2017.
The operator of a vessel with a valid commercial vessel permit for
South Atlantic snapper-grouper having blueline tilefish on board must
have landed and bartered, traded, or sold such blueline tilefish prior
to June 1, 2016. During the closure, all sale or purchase of blueline
tilefish is prohibited and harvest or possession of blueline tilefish
in or from the South Atlantic EEZ is limited to the bag and possession
limits specified in 50 CFR 622.187(b)(2)(iv) and 622.187(c)(1),
respectively. These bag and possession limits apply in the South
Atlantic on board a vessel for which a valid Federal commercial or
charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper has
been issued, without regard to where such species were harvested, i.e.,
in state or Federal waters.
determined this temporary rule is necessary for the conservation and
management of blueline tilefish and the South Atlantic snapper-grouper
fishery and is consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other
This action is taken under 50 CFR 622.193(z)(1)(i) and is exempt
blueline tilefish constitutes good cause to waive the requirements to
authority set forth in 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), as such prior notice and
opportunity for public comment are unnecessary and contrary to the
public interest. Such procedures are unnecessary because the
regulations at 50 CFR 622.193(z)(1)(i) and (iii) have already been
subject to notice and 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 blueline tilefish, since
commercial ACL. Prior notice and opportunity for public comment would
require time and would potentially result in a harvest well in excess
of the established commercial ACL.
[FR Doc. 2016-12351 Filed 5-24-16; 8:45 am]