Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2010/05/12/2010-11184/fisheries-of-the-caribbean-gulf-of-mexico-and-south-atlantic-amendment-to-emergency-fisheries
Timestamp: 2018-02-24 12:28:05
Document Index: 650846465

Matched Legal Cases: ['§\u2009622', '§\u2009622', '§\u2009635', '§\u2009622', 'art 654', '§\u2009654', '§\u2009622']

Federal Register :: Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Amendment to Emergency Fisheries Closure in the Gulf of Mexico Due to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Amendment to Emergency Fisheries Closure in the Gulf of Mexico Due to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
A Rule by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 05/12/2010
This rule is effective May 7, 2010 through 12:01 a.m., local time, May 17, 2010, except for the amendment to Sec. 622.34 (n) which is effective May 7, 2010. Comments may be submitted through May 17, 2010.
Docket No. 100503210-0215-01
0648-AY87
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2010-11184 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2010-11184
Start Preamble Start Printed Page 26679
Emergency rule; amendment; request for comments.
NMFS issues this action to amend the emergency regulations published on May 6, 2010, to revise the portion of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) exclusive economic zone (EEZ) that is closed to all fishing, due to the evolving nature of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The initial closure was applicable May 2, 2010 through 12:01 a.m., local time, May 12, 2010. This revised fisheries closure supersedes the original closure and is effective from May 7, 2010 through 12:01 a.m., local time, May 17, 2010, unless conditions allow NMFS to terminate it sooner. The revised closure is implemented for public safety.
This rule is effective May 7, 2010 through 12:01 a.m., local time, May 17, 2010, except for the amendment to § 622.34 (n) which is effective May 7, 2010. Comments may be submitted through May 17, 2010.
You may submit comments on this rule, identified by “0648-AY87” by any of the following methods:
To submit comments through the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov, enter “NOAA-NMFS-2010-0100” in the keyword search, then select “Send a Comment or Submission.” NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter N/A in the required fields, if you wish to remain anonymous). You may submit attachments to electronic comments in Microsoft Word, Excel, WordPerfect, or Adobe PDF file formats only.
Anik Clemens, telephone: 727-824-5305, fax: 727-824-5308, e-mail: anik.clemens@noaa.gov.
This emergency action is being taken to amend emergency regulations published on May 6, 2010 (75 FR 24822) to revise the area in the Gulf closed to all fishing due to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The initial closed area was applicable from May 2, 2010 through 12:01 a.m., local time, May 12, 2010. This amendment supercedes the original closure and revises the coordinates of the closed area, due to the evolving nature of the oil spill. The oil that is continuing to leak from the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig has resulted in more than 3 million gallons (11.4 million liters) of oil being released into the Gulf of Mexico. NMFS is currently assessing the impacts this oil spill will have on the fishing industry. While NMFS makes this assessment, NMFS amends the closed portion of the Gulf EEZ to encompass where the oil slick resides for public safety concerns. The revised closed area, effective May 7, 2010 through 12:01 a.m., local time, May 17, 2010, is bounded by rhumb lines connecting, in order, the following coordinates: From the point where 29°50′ N. lat. intersects with the 3 nautical mile Louisiana state boundary; proceeding easterly to the point 29°50′ N. lat. and 87°28′ W. long.; thence, southeasterly to the point 29°20′ N. lat. and 86°55′ W. long.; thence, southwesterly to the point 28°18′ N. lat. and 87°44′ W. long.; thence, northwesterly to the point 28°30′ N. lat. and 89° W. long.; thence, northwesterly to the point where 28°52′ N. lat. intersects with the 3 nautical mile Louisiana state boundary; thence along the seaward limit of Louisiana's waters.
NMFS will continue to monitor and evaluate the oil spill and its impacts on Gulf fisheries. When more updated information becomes available, NMFS will take action as appropriate to extend or reduce this closed area by publishing another amendment to this emergency rule in the Federal Register and by posting the revised information to the NMFS Southeast Regional Office website: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov.
NMFS has consulted with OIRA and due to exigent circumstances this action is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
Pursuant to 40 CFR 1506.11, NMFS has consulted with the Council for Environmental Quality.
The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (AA), finds good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) to waive prior notice and the opportunity for public comment. Prior notice and opportunity for public comment would be contrary to the public interest, as delaying action constitutes a public safety concern. NMFS is implementing this closure in the response to the oil spill to help prevent any potential injuries to fishermen in the area. Any delay of implementation of this fisheries closure could constitute unsafe fishing conditions for the fishing industry.
Start Printed Page 26680 Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
2. In § 622.34, paragraph (n) is removed and reserved and paragraph (o) is added to read as follows:
(o) Gulf EEZ area closure related to Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Effective May 7, 2010 through 12:01 a.m., local time, May 17, 2010, all fishing is prohibited in the portion of the Gulf EEZ bounded by rhumb lines connecting, in order, the following points: From the point where 29°50′ N. lat. intersects with the 3 nautical mile Louisiana state boundary; proceeding easterly to the point 29°50′ N. lat. and 87°28′ W. long.; thence, southeasterly to the point 29°20′ N. lat. and 86°55′ W. long.; thence, southwesterly to the point 28°18′ N. lat. and 87°44′ W. long.; thence, northwesterly to the point 28°30′ N. lat. and 89° W. long.; thence, northwesterly to the point where 28°52′ N. lat. intersects with the 3 nautical mile Louisiana state boundary; thence along the seaward limit of Louisiana's waters.
4. In § 635.21, paragraph (a)(4)(vi) is added to read as follows:
(vi) Gulf of Mexico EEZ area closure related to Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Effective May 7, 2010 through 12:01 a.m., local time, May 17, 2010, no vessel issued, or required to be issued, a permit under this part, may fish or deploy any type of fishing gear in the area designated at § 622.34(n) of this chapter.
5. The authority citation for part 654 continues to read as follows:
6. In § 654.7, paragraph (r) is added to read as follows:
(r) Pull or tend a stone crab trap from May 7, 2010 through 12:01 a.m., local time, May 17, 2010 in the portion of the Gulf EEZ designated in § 622.34(n) of this chapter, due to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
[FR Doc. 2010-11184 Filed 5-6-10; 4:15 pm]