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Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Scup Fishery; Framework Adjustment 9, 78728-78731 [2016-27020] :: National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration :: Department Of Commerce :: Regulation Tracker :: Justia
Justia Regulation Tracker Department Of Commerce National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Scup Fishery; Framework Adjustment 9, 78728-78731 [2016-27020]
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Scup Fishery; Framework Adjustment 9, 78728-78731 [2016-27020]
Download as PDF 78728 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 217 / Wednesday, November 9, 2016 / Rules and Regulations 1995). Before promulgating a NHTSA rule for which a written statement is needed, section 205 of the UMRA generally requires the agency to identify and consider a reasonable number of regulatory alternatives and adopt the least costly, most cost-effective, or least burdensome alternative that achieves the objectives of the rule. The provisions of section 205 do not apply when they are inconsistent with applicable law. Moreover, section 205 allows the agency to adopt an alternative other than the least costly, most cost-effective, or least burdensome alternative if the agency publishes with the final rule an explanation of why that alternative was not adopted. This final rule would not result in any expenditure by State, local, or tribal governments or the private sector of more than $100 million, adjusted for inflation. I. National Environmental Policy Act NHTSA has analyzed this rulemaking action for the purposes of the National Environmental Policy Act. The agency has determined that implementation of this action would not have any significant impact on the quality of the human environment. J. Regulation Identifier Number (RIN) The Department of Transportation assigns a regulation identifier number (RIN) to each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulations. The Regulatory Information Service Center publishes the Unified Agenda in April and October of each year. You may use the RIN contained in the heading at the beginning of this document to find this action in the Unified Agenda. K. Privacy Act jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with RULES Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT’s complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477–78). PART 571—FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS 1. The authority citation for part 571 of Title 49 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 49 U.S.C. 322, 30111, 30115, 30117, and 30166; delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.95. 2. Amend § 571.110 by revising S4.1 and S4.4.1(b) introductory text to read as follows: ■ § 571.110 Tire selection and rims and motor home/recreation vehicle trailer load carrying capacity information for motor vehicles with a GVWR of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or less. * * * * * S4.1 General (a) Subject to the exceptions set forth in S4.1(b), vehicles shall be equipped with tires that meet the requirements of § 571.139. (b) Notwithstanding the requirement in S4.1(a), (1) Passenger cars may be equipped with pneumatic T-type temporary spare tire assemblies that meet the requirements of § 571.109 or nonpneumatic spare tire assemblies that meet the requirements of § 571.129 and S6 and S8 of this standard. Passenger cars equipped with a non-pneumatic spare tire assembly shall also meet the requirements of S4.3(e), S5, and S7 of this standard. (2) Trailers may be equipped with ST tires, FI tires, or tires with a rim diameter code of 12 or below that meet the requirements of § 571.109 or § 571.119. * * * * * S4.4.1 * * * (b) Except for trailers, in the event of rapid loss of inflation pressure with the vehicle traveling in a straight line at a speed of 97 km/h (60 mph), retain the deflated tire until the vehicle can be stopped with a controlled braking application. * * * * * Issued on November 3, 2016 in Washington, DC, under authority delegated in 49 CFR 1.95 and 501.5. Mark R. Rosekind, Administrator. List of Subjects in 49 CFR Parts 571 [FR Doc. 2016–27051 Filed 11–8–16; 8:45 am] Imports, Motor vehicle safety, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Tires. In consideration of the foregoing, NHTSA amends 49 CFR part 571 as follows: BILLING CODE 4910–59–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:34 Nov 08, 2016 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 648 [Docket No. 160615524–6999–02] RIN 0648–BG13 Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Scup Fishery; Framework Adjustment 9 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Final rule. AGENCY: This action changes the southern and eastern boundaries of the Southern Gear Restricted Area, as recommended by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. This rule is intended to increase access to traditional squid fishing areas, while maintaining protection for juvenile scup. SUMMARY: Effective December 9, 2016. Copies of the Scup Gear Restricted Area Modification Framework, including the draft Environmental Assessment, and the Regulatory Impact Review prepared by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council in support of this action are available from Dr. Christopher Moore, Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 800 North State Street, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901. The supporting documents are also accessible via the Internet at: http:// www.mafmc.org/actions/scup-gearrestricted-areas-framework or http:// www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/ sustainable/species/scup/index.html. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Emily Gilbert, Fishery Policy Analyst, phone: 978–281–9244; email: Emily.Gilbert@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DATES: ADDRESSES: Background Scup (Stenotomus chrysops) is managed jointly by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission through the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The management unit specified in the FMP for scup is U.S. waters of the Atlantic Ocean from 35°13.3′ N. lat. (the latitude of Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Buxton, NC) northward to the U.S./Canada E:\FR\FM\09NOR1.SGM 09NOR1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 217 / Wednesday, November 9, 2016 / Rules and Regulations jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with RULES border. Currently, the scup stock is not overfished and it is not experiencing overfishing. When scup was overfished prior to 2009, the Council and NMFS determined that juvenile scup mortality in small-mesh fisheries (i.e., those fisheries using mesh smaller than the minimum size specified in the scup regulations) was highly problematic. Two seasonal Gear Restricted Areas (GRAs) were implemented to prohibit vessels fishing for squid, black sea bass, or silver hake (also known as whiting) from using mesh smaller than the 5.0inch (12.7-cm) minimum scup mesh size in the areas during certain times of year. The GRAs were implemented in 2000 (May 24, 2000, 65 FR 33486) and modified several times between 2000 and 2005 (December 27, 2000, 65 FR 81761; March 1, 2001, 66 FR 12902; January 2, 2003, 68 FR 60; January 4, 2005, 70 FR 303). Details on the changes VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:34 Nov 08, 2016 Jkt 241001 to the GRAs are described in those actions and are not repeated here. Most often the changes were enacted to accommodate access for one of the regulated small-mesh fisheries, while still maintaining an effective level of protection for juvenile scup. The GRAs in their current forms have been in effect since 2003 (Northern GRA) and 2005 (Southern GRA). Scup has been considered rebuilt since 2009 and is currently estimated to be approximately 210 percent of the biomass target. Research by the Northeast Fisheries Science Center suggests that minimizing juvenile mortality in the GRAs likely contributed to the recovery and expansion of the scup population. This action only modifies the Southern GRA. The Northern GRA remains unchanged. The background on the Council’s development of this action is described in the proposed rule and not repeated here (August 18, 2016, 81 FR 55166). PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 78729 Final Southern GRA Modifications This action removes the southern portions of the GRA that overlap statistical areas 631 and 632. Additionally, this action shifts the eastern boundary of the Southern GRA west, roughly following the outermost points of the proposed Deep-Sea Coral Protection Areas (September 26, 2016, 81 FR 66245). If approved, the Council’s pending Deep-Sea Coral Amendment would implement area closures that would further restrict access to several canyon areas year-round. Many of these canyons are partially contained within the current boundaries of the Southern GRA, and this action would align those boundaries. The current and final Southern GRA are shown in the figure below. The updated Southern GRA coordinates are provided in the final regulatory text. BILLING CODE 3510–22–P E:\FR\FM\09NOR1.SGM 09NOR1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 217 / Wednesday, November 9, 2016 / Rules and Regulations jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with RULES BILLING CODE 3510–22–C The Council designed these modifications to minimize overlap between the GRA and the recommended discrete deep-sea coral areas. The eastern boundary is intended to restore access to the squid fishery in areas approximately 55 to 60 fathoms (100 to 110 m) and deeper. The shift of the southern boundary north is based on analysis suggesting there are very few scup in statistical areas 631 and 632 from January through March. This action will marginally reduce the amount of protection for the scup stock in return for a modest increase in squid availability. The updated Southern GRA is smaller than the current one; slightly reducing coverage of the scup estimated to be covered by the GRA. However, analysis shows that this change will result in a modest increase in access for the squid and whiting fisheries and a VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:34 Nov 08, 2016 Jkt 241001 slight increase in the availability of black sea bass in the GRA from January 1–March 15. It is important to note, however, that the amount of each stock (by weight) currently estimated to be within the GRA during the winter is only a small fraction of the total stock abundance. As a result, we do not expect the boundary changes to compromise the scup stock or result in overfishing for squid, black sea bass, or whiting. Comments and Responses We received five comments on the measures outlined in the August 18, 2016 (81 FR 55166), proposed rule. All commenters expressed their support for the boundary modifications, noting the importance of balancing the needs of the squid fishing industry with the ability to protect juvenile scup. PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 One commenter also suggested that NMFS and the Council continue to monitor the squid fishery in the modified GRA area to see how the squid fishery benefits from these changes and how scup discards may be affected. Although we do not expect this boundary change to compromise the scup stock or result in overfishing for squid, black sea bass, or whiting, we agree that continued review of scup discards in this area is important. The Council can further modify this GRA in a future framework adjustment action if available information indicates the need to do so. Changes From Proposed Rule The Southern GRA coordinates at § 648.124(a)(1) are slightly adjusted from those presented in the proposed rule to remove an extraneous point and to better align with the coordinates E:\FR\FM\09NOR1.SGM 09NOR1 ER09NO16.015 78730 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 217 / Wednesday, November 9, 2016 / Rules and Regulations proposed for the Deep-Sea Coral Protection Areas. Classification Pursuant to section 304(b)(1)(A) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the Assistant Administrator has determined that this final rule is consistent with the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass FMP, other provisions of the MagnusonStevens Act, and other applicable law. This final 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 during the proposed rule stage that this action would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial 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 is not required and none has been prepared. There are no new reporting or recordkeeping requirements contained in any of the alternatives considered for this action. jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with RULES List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 648 Fisheries, Fishing, Recordkeeping and reporting requirements. VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:34 Nov 08, 2016 Jkt 241001 Dated: November 3, 2016. Samuel D. Rauch III, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service. For the reasons stated in the preamble, 50 CFR part 648 is 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 § 648.124, revise paragraph (a)(1) to read as follows: ■ § 648.124 Scup commercial season and commercial fishery area restrictions. 78731 (12.7 cm) throughout the net. The Southern Gear Restricted Area is an area bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated (copies of a chart depicting the area are available from the Regional Administrator upon request): SOUTHERN GEAR RESTRICTED AREA Point Latitude SGA1 .... SGA2 .... SGA3 .... SGA4 .... SGA5 .... SGA6 .... SGA7 .... SGA8 .... SGA9 .... SGA10 .. SGA11 .. SGA12 .. SGA13 .. SGA14 .. SGA15 .. SGA16 .. SGA17 .. SGA18 .. SGA19 .. SGA20 .. SGA1 .... 39°20′ N ........... 39°4.38′ N ........ 38°28.65′ N ...... 38°29.72′ N ...... 38°26.32′ N ...... 38°25.08′ N ...... 38°13.15′ N ...... 38°13.74′ N ...... 38°11.98′ N ...... 37°29.53′ N ...... 37°29.43′ N ...... 37°28.6′ N ........ 37°6.97′ N ........ 37°5.83′ N ........ 37°4.43′ N ........ 37°3.5′ N .......... 37° N ................ 37° N ................ 38° N ................ 39°20′ N ........... 39°20′ N ........... Longitude 72°37′ W. 72°47.22′ W. 73°29.37′ W. 73°30.65′ W. 73°33.44′ W. 73°34.99′ W. 73°49.77′ W. 73°50.73′ W. 73°52.65′ W. 74°29.95′ W. 74°30.29′ W. 74°30.6′ W. 74°40.8′ W. 74°45.57′ W. 74°41.03′ W. 74°40.39′ W. 74°43′ W. 75°3′ W. 74°23′ W. 72°53′ W. 72°37′ W. (a) Southern Gear Restricted Area—(1) Restrictions. From January 1 through March 15, all trawl vessels in the Southern Gear Restricted Area that fish for or possess non-exempt species as specified in paragraph (a)(2) of this section must fish with nets that have a minimum mesh size of 5.0-inch (12.7cm) diamond mesh, applied throughout the codend for at least 75 continuous meshes forward of the terminus of the net. For trawl nets with codends * * * * * (including an extension) of fewer than [FR Doc. 2016–27020 Filed 11–8–16; 8:45 am] 75 meshes, the entire trawl net must have a minimum mesh size of 5.0 inches BILLING CODE 3510–22–P PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\09NOR1.SGM 09NOR1
[Pages 78728-78731]
[FR Doc No: 2016-27020]
[Docket No. 160615524-6999-02]
RIN 0648-BG13
Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Scup Fishery;
Framework Adjustment 9
SUMMARY: This action changes the southern and eastern boundaries of the
Southern Gear Restricted Area, as recommended by the Mid-Atlantic
Fishery Management Council. This rule is intended to increase access to
traditional squid fishing areas, while maintaining protection for
juvenile scup.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the Scup Gear Restricted Area Modification
Framework, including the draft Environmental Assessment, and the
Regulatory Impact Review prepared by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery
Management Council in support of this action are available from Dr.
Christopher Moore, Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management
Council, 800 North State Street, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901. The
supporting documents are also accessible via the Internet at: http://www.mafmc.org/actions/scup-gear-restricted-areas-framework or http://www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/sustainable/species/scup/index.html.
phone: 978-281-9244; email: Emily.Gilbert@noaa.gov.
Scup (Stenotomus chrysops) is managed jointly by the Mid-Atlantic
Commission through the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass
Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The management unit specified in the FMP
for scup is U.S. waters of the Atlantic Ocean from 35[deg]13.3' N. lat.
[[Page 78729]]
border. Currently, the scup stock is not overfished and it is not
When scup was overfished prior to 2009, the Council and NMFS
determined that juvenile scup mortality in small-mesh fisheries (i.e.,
those fisheries using mesh smaller than the minimum size specified in
the scup regulations) was highly problematic. Two seasonal Gear
Restricted Areas (GRAs) were implemented to prohibit vessels fishing
for squid, black sea bass, or silver hake (also known as whiting) from
using mesh smaller than the 5.0-inch (12.7-cm) minimum scup mesh size
in the areas during certain times of year. The GRAs were implemented in
2000 (May 24, 2000, 65 FR 33486) and modified several times between
2000 and 2005 (December 27, 2000, 65 FR 81761; March 1, 2001, 66 FR
12902; January 2, 2003, 68 FR 60; January 4, 2005, 70 FR 303). Details
on the changes to the GRAs are described in those actions and are not
repeated here. Most often the changes were enacted to accommodate
access for one of the regulated small-mesh fisheries, while still
maintaining an effective level of protection for juvenile scup. The
GRAs in their current forms have been in effect since 2003 (Northern
GRA) and 2005 (Southern GRA). Scup has been considered rebuilt since
2009 and is currently estimated to be approximately 210 percent of the
biomass target. Research by the Northeast Fisheries Science Center
suggests that minimizing juvenile mortality in the GRAs likely
contributed to the recovery and expansion of the scup population. This
action only modifies the Southern GRA. The Northern GRA remains
The background on the Council's development of this action is
described in the proposed rule and not repeated here (August 18, 2016,
81 FR 55166).
This action removes the southern portions of the GRA that overlap
statistical areas 631 and 632. Additionally, this action shifts the
eastern boundary of the Southern GRA west, roughly following the
outermost points of the proposed Deep-Sea Coral Protection Areas
(September 26, 2016, 81 FR 66245). If approved, the Council's pending
Deep-Sea Coral Amendment would implement area closures that would
further restrict access to several canyon areas year-round. Many of
these canyons are partially contained within the current boundaries of
the Southern GRA, and this action would align those boundaries. The
current and final Southern GRA are shown in the figure below. The
updated Southern GRA coordinates are provided in the final regulatory
[[Page 78730]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR09NO16.015
The Council designed these modifications to minimize overlap
between the GRA and the recommended discrete deep-sea coral areas. The
eastern boundary is intended to restore access to the squid fishery in
areas approximately 55 to 60 fathoms (100 to 110 m) and deeper. The
shift of the southern boundary north is based on analysis suggesting
there are very few scup in statistical areas 631 and 632 from January
through March. This action will marginally reduce the amount of
protection for the scup stock in return for a modest increase in squid
availability. The updated Southern GRA is smaller than the current one;
slightly reducing coverage of the scup estimated to be covered by the
GRA. However, analysis shows that this change will result in a modest
increase in access for the squid and whiting fisheries and a slight
increase in the availability of black sea bass in the GRA from January
1-March 15. It is important to note, however, that the amount of each
stock (by weight) currently estimated to be within the GRA during the
winter is only a small fraction of the total stock abundance. As a
result, we do not expect the boundary changes to compromise the scup
stock or result in overfishing for squid, black sea bass, or whiting.
We received five comments on the measures outlined in the August
18, 2016 (81 FR 55166), proposed rule. All commenters expressed their
support for the boundary modifications, noting the importance of
balancing the needs of the squid fishing industry with the ability to
protect juvenile scup.
One commenter also suggested that NMFS and the Council continue to
monitor the squid fishery in the modified GRA area to see how the squid
fishery benefits from these changes and how scup discards may be
affected. Although we do not expect this boundary change to compromise
the scup stock or result in overfishing for squid, black sea bass, or
whiting, we agree that continued review of scup discards in this area
is important. The Council can further modify this GRA in a future
framework adjustment action if available information indicates the need
The Southern GRA coordinates at Sec.  648.124(a)(1) are slightly
adjusted from those presented in the proposed rule to remove an
extraneous point and to better align with the coordinates
[[Page 78731]]
proposed for the Deep-Sea Coral Protection Areas.
2. In Sec.  648.124, revise paragraph (a)(1) to read as follows:
Sec.  648.124  Scup commercial season and commercial fishery area
(a) Southern Gear Restricted Area--(1) Restrictions. From January 1
through March 15, all trawl vessels in the Southern Gear Restricted
Area that fish for or possess non-exempt species as specified in
paragraph (a)(2) of this section must fish with nets that have a
minimum mesh size of 5.0-inch (12.7-cm) diamond mesh, applied
terminus of the net. For trawl nets with codends (including an
extension) of fewer than 75 meshes, the entire trawl net must have a
minimum mesh size of 5.0 inches (12.7 cm) throughout the net. The
Southern Gear Restricted Area is an area bounded by straight lines
depicting the area are available from the Regional Administrator upon
Point                 Latitude                  Longitude
SGA1................  39[deg]20' N............  72[deg]37' W.
SGA2................  39[deg]4.38' N..........  72[deg]47.22' W.
SGA3................  38[deg]28.65' N.........  73[deg]29.37' W.
SGA4................  38[deg]29.72' N.........  73[deg]30.65' W.
SGA5................  38[deg]26.32' N.........  73[deg]33.44' W.
SGA6................  38[deg]25.08' N.........  73[deg]34.99' W.
SGA7................  38[deg]13.15' N.........  73[deg]49.77' W.
SGA8................  38[deg]13.74' N.........  73[deg]50.73' W.
SGA9................  38[deg]11.98' N.........  73[deg]52.65' W.
SGA10...............  37[deg]29.53' N.........  74[deg]29.95' W.
SGA11...............  37[deg]29.43' N.........  74[deg]30.29' W.
SGA12...............  37[deg]28.6' N..........  74[deg]30.6' W.
SGA13...............  37[deg]6.97' N..........  74[deg]40.8' W.
SGA14...............  37[deg]5.83' N..........  74[deg]45.57' W.
SGA15...............  37[deg]4.43' N..........  74[deg]41.03' W.
SGA16...............  37[deg]3.5' N...........  74[deg]40.39' W.
SGA17...............  37[deg] N...............  74[deg]43' W.
SGA18...............  37[deg] N...............  75[deg]3' W.
SGA19...............  38[deg] N...............  74[deg]23' W.
SGA20...............  39[deg]20' N............  72[deg]53' W.