Source: http://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/50/648.56
Timestamp: 2014-10-23 00:42:47
Document Index: 90628531

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 648', '§ 648', '§ 648', '§ 648', '§ 648', '§ 648', '§ 648', '§ 648', '§ 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', '§ 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', '§ 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', 'arts 648', 'arts 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', 'art 648']

50 CFR 648.56 - Scallop research. | LII / Legal Information Institute
CFR › Title 50 › Chapter VI › Part 648 › Subpart D › Section 648.56 50 CFR 648.56 - Scallop research.
There are 63 Updates appearing in the Federal Register for 50 CFR 648. View below or at eCFR (GPOAccess)
§ 648.56
At least biennially, in association with the biennial framework process, the Council and NMFS shall prepare and issue an announcement of Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) that identifies research priorities for projects to be conducted by vessels using research set-aside as specified in paragraph (d) of this section and § 648.60(e), provides requirements and instructions for applying for funding of a proposed RSA project, and specifies the date by which applications must be received. The FFO shall be published as soon as possible by NMFS and shall provide the opportunity for applicants to apply for projects to be awarded for 1 or 2 years by allowing applicants to apply for RSA funding for the first year, second year, or both.
Proposals submitted in response to the FFO must include the following information, as well as any other specific information required within the FFO: A project summary that includes the project goals and objectives, the relationship of the proposed research to scallop research priorities and/or management needs, project design, participants other than the applicant, funding needs, breakdown of costs, and the vessel(s) for which authorization is requested to conduct research activities.
NOAA shall make the final determination as to what proposals are approved and which vessels are authorized to take scallops in excess of possession limits, or take additional trips into Open or Access Areas. NMFS shall provide authorization of such activities to specific vessels by letter of acknowledgement, letter of authorization, or Exempted Fishing Permit issued by the Regional Administrator, which must be kept on board the vessel.
Available RSA allocation shall be 1.25 million lb (567 mt) annually, which shall be deducted from the ABC/ACL specified in § 648.53(a) prior to setting ACLs for the limited access and LAGC fleets, as specified in § 648.53(a)(3) and (a)(4), respectively. Approved RSA projects shall be allocated an amount of scallop pounds that can be harvested in open areas and available access areas. The specific access areas that are open to RSA harvest shall be specified through the framework process as identified in § 648.60(e)(1). In a year in which a framework adjustment is under review by the Council and/or NMFS, NMFS shall make RSA awards prior to approval of the framework, if practicable, based on total scallop pounds needed to fund each research project. Recipients may begin compensation fishing in open areas prior to approval of the framework, or wait until NMFS approval of the framework to begin compensation fishing within approved access areas.
If all RSA TAC is not allocated in a fishing year, and proceeds from compensation fishing for approved projects fall short of funds needed to cover a project's budget due to a lower-than-expected scallop price, unused RSA allocation can be provided to that year's awarded projects to compensate for the funding shortfall, or to expand a project, rather than having that RSA go unused. NMFS shall identify the process for the reallocation of available RSA pounds as part of the FFO for the RSA program. The FFO shall specify the conditions under which a project that has been awarded RSA could be provided additional RSA pounds as supplemental compensation to account for lower-than-expected scallop price or for expansion of the project, timing of reallocation, and information submission requirements.
If all RSA pounds awarded to a project cannot be harvested during the applicable fishing year, RSA TAC awarded to that project may be harvested through May 31 of the fishing year subsequent to the fishing year in which the set-aside is awarded.
Vessels conducting research under an approved RSA project may be exempt from crew restrictions specified in § 648.51, seasonal closures of access areas specified in § 648.59, and the restriction on fishing in only one access area during a trip specified in § 648.60(a)(4). The RSA project proposal must list which of these measures for which an exemption is required. An exemption shall be provided by Letter of Authorization issued by the Regional Administrator. RSA compensation fishing trips and combined compensation and research trips are not eligible for these exemptions.
Upon completion of scallop research projects approved pursuant to this section and the applicable NOAA grants review process, researchers must provide the Council and NMFS with a report of research findings, which must include at least the following: A detailed description of methods of data collection and analysis; a discussion of results and any relevant conclusions presented in a format that is understandable to a non-technical audience; and a detailed final accounting of all funds used to conduct the sea scallop research.
[76 FR 43769, July 21, 2011, as amended at 77 FR 20740, Apr. 6, 2012]
Title 50 published on 2013-10-01The following are only the Rules published in the Federal Register after the published date of Title 50.For a complete list of all Rules, Proposed Rules, and Notices view the Rulemaking tab.2014-09-04; vol. 79 # 171 - Thursday, September 4, 201479 FR 52578 - Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-20966 RIN0648-BD93 Docket No.140128077-4691-02 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Final rule. This rule is effective September 4, 2014. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryThis final rule changes on-reel trawl gear stowage requirements when fishing vessels are transiting closed areas or fishing in areas with mesh size restrictions. Specifically, this action allows a vessel to use a highly visible orange or yellow mesh material as an alternative to the current requirement to use a tarp or similar canvas material. In addition, this action removes the requirement to detach the towing wires from the doors for all on-reel gear stowage and removes the requirement to detach the towing wires from the net. Finally, to help streamline the gear stowage requirements, this action also reorganizes the current gear stowage regulations. This action is being implemented under authority delegated to the NMFS Regional Administrator. This action is intended to improve safety of fishing operations while at sea.
2014-09-02; vol. 79 # 169 - Tuesday, September 2, 201479 FR 51917 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Trimester Closure for the Common Pool Fishery
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-20685 RIN0648-XD47 Docket No.140106011-4338-02 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Temporary rule; area closure. This action is effective August 27, 2014, through August 31, 2014. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryThis action closes the Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic yellowtail flounder Trimester Total Allowable Catch Area for the remainder of Trimester 1, through August 31, 2014. Based on our projection, the common pool fishery has caught over 90 percent of its Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic yellowtail flounder Trimester 1 total allowable catch, triggering the regulatory requirement to close the area for the remainder of the trimester. This action is intended to prevent further overages of the common pool&apos;s annual quota of Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic yellowtail flounder.
2014-08-29; vol. 79 # 168 - Friday, August 29, 201479 FR 51503 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Closure for the Common Pool Fishery
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-20649 RIN0648-XD45 Docket No.140106011-4338-02 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Temporary rule; area closure. This action is effective August 26, 2014, through April 30, 2015. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryThis action closes the Eastern U.S./Canada Area for Northeast multispecies common pool vessels for the remainder of fishing year 2014, through April 30, 2015. Based on recent data, the common pool fishery has caught 130 percent of its Eastern Georges Bank cod total allowable catch, triggering the regulatory requirement to close the area for the remainder of the fishing year. This action is intended to prevent further overage of the common pool&apos;s annual quota of Eastern Georges Bank cod.
79 FR 51504 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Skate Fishery; Framework Adjustment 2
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-20687 RIN0648-BD99 Docket No.140220160-4692-02 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Final rule. This rule is effective September 29, 2014. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryNMFS approves and implements measures in Framework Adjustment 2 to the Northeast Skate Complex Fishery Management Plan, which was developed by the New England Fishery Management Council. The approved management measures include updated skate fishery specifications for the 2014-2015 fishing years and changes to skate reporting requirements. The action is necessary to update the Fishery Management Plan to be consistent with the best available scientific information, and improve management of the skate fisheries. The rule is expected to help conserve skate stocks, while maintaining economic opportunities for the skate fisheries.
2014-08-21; vol. 79 # 162 - Thursday, August 21, 201479 FR 49462 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Trimester Closure for the Common Pool Fishery
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-19830 RIN0648-XD44 Docket No.140106011-4338-02 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Temporary rule; area closure. This action is effective August 18, 2014, through August 31, 2014. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryThis action closes the Georges Bank cod Trimester Total Allowable Catch Area for the remainder of Trimester 1, through August 31, 2014. Based on our projection, the common pool fishery has caught over 90 percent of its Georges Bank cod Trimester 1 total allowable catch triggering the regulatory requirement to close the area for the remainder of the trimester. This action is intended to prevent an overage of the common pool&apos;s annual quota of Georges Bank cod.
2014-08-12; vol. 79 # 155 - Tuesday, August 12, 201479 FR 47024 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Scup Fishery; Adjustment to the 2014 Winter II Quota
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-18963 RIN0648-XD39 Docket No.140117052-4402-02 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Temporary rule; inseason adjustment. Effective November 1, 2014, through December 31, 2014. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryNMFS adjusts the 2014 Winter II commercial scup quota. This action complies with Framework Adjustment 3 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan, which established a process to allow the rollover of unused commercial scup quota from the Winter I period to the Winter II period.
2014-08-11; vol. 79 # 154 - Monday, August 11, 201479 FR 46718 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries; Closure of the 2014 Trimester 2 Directed Longfin Squid Fishery
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-18855 RIN0648-XD37 Docket No.130903775-4276-02 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Temporary rule; closure. Effective 0001 hours, August 11, 2014, through 2400 hours, August 31, 2014. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryNMFS announces that the 2014 Trimester 2 longfin squid fishery is closed. Vessels issued a commercial Federal moratorium longfin squid permit may not possess or land more than an incidental amount of longfin squid for the remainder of Trimester 2. This action is necessary to prevent the fishery from exceeding its Trimester 2 quota and to allow for effective management of the stock. Regulations governing the longfin squid fishery require publication of this notification to advise permit holders that the fishery is closed.
2014-08-08; vol. 79 # 153 - Friday, August 8, 201479 FR 46376 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Spiny Dogfish Fishery; Final 2014-2015 Spiny Dogfish Specifications
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-18817 RIN0648-BE17 Docket No.140403312-4632-02 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Final rule. This rule is effective September 8, 2014. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryThis rule implements catch limits, commercial quotas, and possession limits for the spiny dogfish fishery for the 2014-2015 fishing years. The action was developed by the Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery Management Councils pursuant to the fishery specification requirements of the Spiny Dogfish Fishery Management Plan. These management measures, including the increase in catch limits above the 2013 levels, are supported by the best available scientific information and reflect recent increases in spiny dogfish biomass, and are expected to result in positive economic impacts for the spiny dogfish fishery while maintaining the conservation objectives of the Spiny Dogfish Fishery Management Plan.
2014-08-06; vol. 79 # 151 - Wednesday, August 6, 201479 FR 45729 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Trimester Total Allowable Catch Area Closure for the Common Pool Fishery and Possession Limit Adjustment
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-18513 RIN0648-XD41 Docket No.140106011-4338-02 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Temporary rule; area closure and possession limit adjustment. This action is effective August 6, 2014, through August 31, 2014. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryThis action closes the American plaice Trimester Total Allowable Catch Area to Northeast multispecies common pool trawl vessels for the remainder of Trimester 1, through August 31, 2014. The closure is required by regulation because the common pool fishery has caught 120 percent of its Trimester 1 quota for American plaice. This closure is intended to prevent the overharvest of the common pool&apos;s allocation for this stock. Because the common pool catch of American plaice is not limited to the American plaice Trimester Total Allowable Catch Area, this action also reduces possession and trip limit for the American plaice stock to zero for all common pool vessels through August 31, 2014, in order to prevent the overharvest of the common pool&apos;s allocation of American plaice.
2014-07-30; vol. 79 # 146 - Wednesday, July 30, 201479 FR 44141 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fisheries Management Plan; Northern Red Hake Quota Harvested
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-17999 RIN0648-XD33 Docket No.110816505-2184-03 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Temporary rule; possession limit reduction. Effective at 0001 hr local time, August 5, 2014, through 2400 hr local time April 30, 2015. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryBeginning August 5, 2014, the northern red hake possession limit is reduced to the incidental possession limit for the remainder of the 2014 fishing year.
2014-07-23; vol. 79 # 141 - Wednesday, July 23, 201479 FR 42696 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Trip Limit Adjustment and Trimester Total Allowable Catch Area Closure for the Common Pool Fishery
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-17287 RIN0648-XD35 Docket No.140106011-4338-02 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Temporary rule; inseason adjustment and area closure. The trip limit increase is effective July 23, 2014, through April 30, 2015. The Gulf of Maine Cod Trimester Total Allowable Catch Area closure is effective July 23, 2014, through August 31, 2014. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryThis action increases the trip limit for Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic winter flounder for Northeast multispecies common pool vessels for the remainder of the 2014 fishing year and closes the Gulf of Maine Cod Trimester Total Allowable Catch Area for the remainder of Trimester 1, through August 31, 2014. Increasing the trip limit is intended to provide additional fishing opportunities and help allow the common pool fishery to catch its allowable quota for this stock. The closure is required because the common pool fishery has caught more than 90 percent of its Trimester 1 quota for Gulf of Maine cod. This closure is intended to prevent the overharvest of the common pool&apos;s allocation this stock.
2014-07-18; vol. 79 # 138 - Friday, July 18, 201479 FR 41918 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Monkfish; Framework Adjustment 8
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-16959 RIN0648-BD56 Docket No.130726661-4551-02 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Final rule. This final rule is effective on July 18, 2014. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryNMFS approves and implements measures included in Framework Adjustment 8 to the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan. This action increases monkfish day-at-sea allocations and landing limits, allows vessels issued a limited access monkfish Category H permit to fish throughout the Southern Fishery Management Area, and enables vessels to use an allocated monkfish-only day-at-sea at any time throughout the fishing year. It also revises biological reference points for the monkfish stocks in the Northern and Southern Fishery Management Areas based on an updated stock assessment. The approved measures are intended to increase monkfish landings and better achieve optimum yield in each fishery management area, increase operational flexibility to maximize the value of available fishing opportunities, and ensure that management measures are based on the best scientific information available.
2014-07-15; vol. 79 # 135 - Tuesday, July 15, 201479 FR 41141 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Spiny Dogfish Fishery; Amendment 3
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-16477 RIN0648-BC77 Docket No.130103003-4550-02 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Final rule. This rule is effective August 14, 2014. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryNMFS approves and implements measures in Amendment 3 to the Spiny Dogfish Fishery Management Plan, which was developed by the Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery Management Councils. The approved management measures include implementing a research set-aside program, updating essential fish habitat definitions, allowing rollover of specifications, and eliminating the seasonal allocation of the commercial quota. These administrative measures are intended to improve the implementation of the Spiny Dogfish Fishery Management Plan and provide benefits to the spiny dogfish fishery.
2014-07-07; vol. 79 # 129 - Monday, July 7, 201479 FR 38259 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Recreational Management Measures for the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fisheries; Fishing Year 2014
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-15799 RIN0648-BE16 Docket No.140403309-4529-02 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Final rule. Effective July 7, 2014. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryNMFS is implementing management measures for the 2014 summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass recreational fisheries. The implementing regulations for these fisheries require NMFS to publish recreational measures for the fishing year. The intent of these measures is to prevent overfishing of the summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass resources.
2014-06-27; vol. 79 # 124 - Friday, June 27, 201479 FR 36433 - Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Unused Catch Carryover; Emergency Action
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-15153 RIN0648-BE19 Docket No.140616507-4507-01 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Temporary rule; emergency action; request for comments. Effective June 27, 2014, except for the amendment to § 648.87 (b)(1)(i)(C)( 2 )( i ) which is effective June 27, 2014, through December 24, 2014. Comments must be received on or before July 28, 2014. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryNMFS is changing the accounting system and accountability measures implemented last year for fishing year 2012 Northeast multispecies fishery sector annual catch entitlement carryover used during fishing year 2013. This change implements a stock level pound-for-pound payback accountability measure if a sector uses its 2012 carryover and both the sector sub-annual catch limit and the overall annual catch limit are exceeded. This rule is necessary to comply with an April 4, 2014, ruling by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia that invalidated and vacated the fishing year 2013 carryover measures.
2014-06-20; vol. 79 # 119 - Friday, June 20, 201479 FR 35293 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Bluefish Fishery; 2014 Atlantic Bluefish Specifications
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-14419 RIN0648-XD13 Docket No.140214138-4482-02 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Final rule. The final specifications for the 2014 Atlantic bluefish fishery are effective July 21, 2014, through December 31, 2014. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryNMFS issues final specifications for the 2014 Atlantic bluefish fishery, including annual catch limits, total allowable landings, commercial quotas and recreational harvest limits, and a recreational possession limit. This action establishes the allowable 2014 harvest levels and other management measures to achieve the target fishing mortality rate, consistent with the Atlantic Bluefish Fishery Management Plan and the recommendations of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council.
2014-06-16; vol. 79 # 115 - Monday, June 16, 201479 FR 34251 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery and Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Framework Adjustment 25
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-14005 RIN0648-BE07 Docket No.140305202-4478-02 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Final rule. Effective June 16, 2014, except for the amendment to § 648.51(b)(4)(iv)(B) in amendatory instruction 4.b, which is effective July 16, 2014. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryNMFS approves and implements regulations for Framework Adjustment 25 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan (Framework 25), which the New England Fishery Management Council adopted and submitted to NMFS for approval. Framework 25 sets specifications for the Atlantic sea scallop fishery for fishing year 2014, including days-at-sea allocations, individual fishing quotas, and sea scallop access area trip allocations. This action also sets precautionary default FY 2015 specifications, in case NMFS implements the next framework after the March 1, 2015, start of fishing year 2015, and the fishery must operate under transitional measures. Framework 25 also allows vessels to land pounds that went unharvested in Closed Area I Access Area in 2012 and 2013 in a future year; develops Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic windowpane flounder accountability measures; and provides full-time scallop vessels the option to exchange their allocated Delmarva Access Area trip for 5 days-at-sea.
2014-06-04; vol. 79 # 107 - Wednesday, June 4, 201479 FR 32170 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Summer Flounder Fishery; Quota Transfer
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-12917 RIN0648-XD29 Docket No.140117052-4402-02 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Temporary rule; quota transfer. Effective May 30, 2014, through December 31, 2014. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryNMFS announces that the State of North Carolina is transferring a portion of its 2014 commercial summer flounder quota to the Commonwealth of Virginia. NMFS is adjusting the quotas and announcing the revised commercial quota for each state involved. NMFS is also correcting the 2014 summer flounder quota for the State of New Jersey to account for quota transfers to date.
2014-05-30; vol. 79 # 104 - Friday, May 30, 201479 FR 31050 - Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Reporting Requirements; Unused Catch Carryover
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-12538 RIN0648-BD73 Docket No.131030919-4436-02 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Final rule. This rule is effective June 30, 2014. The de minimis carryover amount outlined in Table 1 in the preamble is effective June 30, 2014, through April 30, 2015. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryNMFS is implementing two measures in this rulemaking: A requirement for daily Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) catch reporting for vessels declared to fish in the Eastern U.S./Canada Area; and the de minimis amount of unused fishing year (FY) 2013 sector annual catch entitlement (ACE) that may be carried over, beginning in FY 2014, without being subject to potential accountability measures. The revision to the reporting requirement is necessary to ensure accurate and timely Eastern U.S./Canada Area catch reporting for quota monitoring purposes. The de minimis carryover amount is necessary to complete the carryover process NMFS described for FY 2014 in conjunction with the May 2013 rulemaking for Framework Adjustment 50 to the Northeast (NE) Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP).
2014-05-28; vol. 79 # 102 - Wednesday, May 28, 201479 FR 30483 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Herring Fishery; 2014 Sub-Annual Catch Limit (ACL) Harvested for Management Area 1B
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-12323 RIN0648-XD30 Docket No.130919816-4205-02 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Temporary rule; directed fishery closure. Effective 0001 hr local time, May 24, 2014, through December 31, 2014. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryNMFS is closing the directed herring fishery in management Area 1B, because it projects that 92 percent of the 2014 catch limit for that area will have been caught by the effective date. This action is necessary to comply with the regulations implementing the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan and is intended to prevent over harvest in Area 1B.
2014-05-22; vol. 79 # 99 - Thursday, May 22, 201479 FR 29371 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fisheries; 2014 Summer Flounder Specifications; 2015 Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Specifications
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-11665 RIN0648-XD09 Docket No.140117052-4402-02 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Final rule. Effective May 22, 2014, through December 31, 2015. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryNMFS issues final specifications for the 2014 summer flounder fishery, and the 2015 summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass fisheries. This final rule specifies allowed harvest limits for both commercial and recreational fisheries. This action prohibits federally permitted commercial fishing vessels from landing summer flounder in Delaware in 2014 due to continued quota repayment from previous years&apos; overages. These actions are necessary to comply with regulations implementing the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan, and to ensure compliance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The intent of this action is to establish harvest levels and other management measures to ensure that these species are not overfished or subject to overfishing in 2014 and 2015.
2014-05-20; vol. 79 # 97 - Tuesday, May 20, 201479 FR 28850 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Summer Flounder Fishery; Quota Transfer
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-11646 RIN0648-XD26 Docket No.121009528-2729-02 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Temporary rule; quota transfer. Effective May 15, 2014, through December 31, 2014. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryNMFS announces that the Commonwealth of Virginia is transferring a portion of its 2014 commercial summer flounder quota to the State of New Jersey. NMFS is adjusting the quotas and announcing the revised commercial quota for each state involved.
2014-04-30; vol. 79 # 83 - Wednesday, April 30, 201479 FR 24354 - Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northern Red Hake Accountability Measure
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-09875 RIN0648-BE08 Docket No.140421359-4359-01 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Final rule. This action is effective May 1, 2014. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryThis action reduces the in-season possession limit adjustment trigger for northern red hake beginning in fishing year 2014 due to an annual catch limit overage in 2012. This action also makes some minor corrections and clarifications to the accountability measure regulations. These corrections and clarifications are administrative in nature and will not affect the small-mesh multispecies fishery, possession limits, or how the accountability measures function. This action is required under the provisions of the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan.
79 FR 24356 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab Fishery; 2014-2016 Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab Specifications
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-09893 RIN0648-XD06 Docket No.140106010-4358-02 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Final rule. The final specifications for the 2014-2016 Atlantic deep-sea red crab fishery are effective May 30, 2014, through February 28, 2017. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryNMFS issues final specifications for the 2014-2016 Atlantic deep-sea red crab fishery, including an annual catch limit and total allowable landings. This action establishes the allowable 2014-2016 harvest levels and other management measures to achieve the target fishing mortality rate, consistent with the Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab Fishery Management Plan.
2014-04-28; vol. 79 # 81 - Monday, April 28, 201479 FR 23278 - Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; 2014 Sector Operations Plans and Contracts and Allocation of Northeast Multispecies Annual Catch Entitlements
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-09511 RIN0648-XC99 Docket No.131115971-4345-02 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Final rule. Effective May 1, 2014, through April 30, 2015. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryWe have partially approved 17 sector operations plans and contracts for fishing year 2014, providing allocations of Northeast multispecies (groundfish) to these sectors, and granting 20 regulatory exemptions. Approval of sector operations plans is necessary to allocate quotas to the sectors and for the sectors to operate. The Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan allows limited access permit holders to form sectors, and requires sectors to submit their operations plans and contracts to us, NMFS, for approval or disapproval. Approved sectors are exempt from certain effort control regulations and receive allocations of groundfish based on their members&apos; fishing history.
2014-04-22; vol. 79 # 77 - Tuesday, April 22, 201479 FR 22419 - Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Groundfish Fishery; Fishing Year 2014; Recreational Management Measures
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-09140 RIN0648-BE00 Docket No.140220164-4164-01 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Interim final rule; request for comments. Effective May 1, 2014. Comments must be received by May 22, 2014. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryThis action changes the Gulf of Maine Atlantic cod and haddock recreational fishery minimum fish size requirements, per-angler possession limits, and fishing seasons for the 2014 fishing year (May 1, 2014-April 30, 2015). This action is necessary to ensure that recreational catch does not exceed recreational catch limits for these two stocks for the 2014 fishing year, consistent with the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan accountability measures. The intended effect of the changes is to ensure effective management so recreational catch limits are not exceeded as part of the larger Northeast multispecies catch limit and accountability measures management system designed to prevent overfishing.
79 FR 22421 - Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Groundfish Fishery; Framework Adjustment 51
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-09135 RIN0648-BD88 Docket No.140106011-4338-02 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Final rule. This final rule is effective on May 1, 2014. 50 CFR Parts 648 and 697 SummaryNMFS has partially approved Framework Adjustment 51 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (Groundfish FMP), and this final rule implements the approved measures. This action sets catch limits for groundfish stocks, revises the rebuilding programs for Gulf of Maine cod and American plaice, modifies management measures for yellowtail flounder, and revises management measures for the U.S./ Canada Management Area. Although not part of Framework 51, this action also sets fishing year 2014 trip limits for the common pool fishery and announces 2014 accountability measures for windowpane flounder. This action is necessary to respond to updated scientific information and achieve the goals and objectives of the Groundfish FMP. The approved measures are intended to help prevent overfishing, rebuild overfished stocks, achieve optimum yield, and ensure that management measures are based on the best scientific information available.
2014-04-21; vol. 79 # 76 - Monday, April 21, 201479 FR 22043 - Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Final Rule To Allow Northeast Multispecies Sector Vessels Access to Year-Round Closed Areas
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-09031 RIN0648-BD09 Docket No.130319263-4284-03 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Final rule. Effective April 21, 2014, we confirm the effective date of December 31, 2013 through April 30, 2014, of the interim final rule published on December 16, 2013 (78 FR 76077). 50 CFR Parts 648 and 697 SummaryThis final rule finalizes an interim final rule approving a sector exemption request that allows Northeast multispecies (groundfish) sector vessels restricted access to portions of the Nantucket Lightship Closed Area under standard monitoring coverage levels. This action also responds to public comments received on the interim measures. This final rule does not modify any measures from the interim final rule.
2014-04-09; vol. 79 # 68 - Wednesday, April 9, 201479 FR 19497 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Trimester Closure and Trip Limit Adjustments for the Common Pool Fishery
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-07944 RIN0648-XD21 Docket No.120109034-2171-01 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Temporary rule; closure. This action is effective April 9, 2014, through April 30, 2014. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryWe are closing the Georges Bank cod Trimester Total Allowable Catch Area for the remainder of Trimester 3, through April 30, 2014. Based on our projection, the common pool fishery has caught 97 percent of its Georges Bank cod Trimester 3 total allowable catch, triggering the regulatory requirement to close that area for the remainder of the trimester. This action is intended to prevent an overage of the common pool&apos;s Georges Bank cod quota. Because the common pool catch of Georges Bank cod is not limited to the Georges Bank cod Trimester Total Allowable Catch Area, we are reducing the common pool possession and trip limit for the Georges Bank cod stock to zero, in order to prevent the overharvest of the common pool&apos;s fishing year 2013 allocation of Georges Bank cod. We are also increasing the common pool possession and trip limit for Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic winter flounder to allow the common pool fishery to catch more of its quota for that stock.
2014-04-04; vol. 79 # 65 - Friday, April 4, 201479 FR 18834 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries; Specifications and Management Measures
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-07610 RIN0648-BD65 Docket No.130903775-4276-02 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Final rule. Effective April 4, 2014. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryNMFS is implementing the specifications for fishing year (FY) 2014 for butterfish, as well as other management measures for the species managed under the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan. NMFS previously set specifications for longfin squid and Illex squid for 3 years in 2012 (FYs 2012-2014) and, therefore, new specifications for these species are not included in this year&apos;s specification rulemaking. Likewise, NMFS set specifications for mackerel for 3 years in 2013 (2013-2015), so new mackerel specifications are not included in this action. This action increases the butterfish acceptable biological catch by 8 percent and the butterfish landings limit by 24 percent compared to FY 2013. This action also increases the butterfish Phase 3 trip limit from 500 lb (0.23 mt) to 600 lb (0.27 mt) for longfin squid/butterfish moratorium permit holders; establishes a 236-mt cap on river herring (blueback and alewife) and shad (American and hickory) catch in the mackerel fishery; and raises the post-closure possession limit for longfin squid to 15,000 lb (6.80 mt) for vessels targeting Illex squid.
79 FR 18844 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries; Phase 1 Reopening for the Directed Butterfish Fishery
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-07612 RIN0648-XD20 Docket No.130903775-4276-02 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Temporary rule. Effective April 4, 2014, through December 31, 2014. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryNMFS announces that phase 1 of the directed butterfish fishery will be reopened to provide the opportunity for vessels targeting butterfish to fish with a higher possession limit. Vessels issued a longfin squid/butterfish moratorium permit may fish for, catch, possess, or land unlimited amounts of butterfish when using greater than or equal to 3-inch (76-mm) mesh. The possession limit remains 2,500-lb (1.13 mt) per trip or calendar day for vessels fishing less than 3-inch (76-mm) mesh. The incidental possession limit also remains unchanged at 600 lb (0.27 mt).
2014-04-02; vol. 79 # 63 - Wednesday, April 2, 201479 FR 18478 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries; Framework Adjustment 8
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-07416 RIN0648-BD50 Docket No.130716623-4275-02 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Final rule. Effective May 2, 2014. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryFramework Adjustment 8 (Framework 8) implements several changes to improve operation of the butterfish discard cap in the longfin squid fishery and the directed butterfish fishery. Framework 8 allocates the butterfish discard cap among trimesters in the same percentages used for the trimester allocations for longfin squid: 43 percent to Trimester I (January to April), 17 percent to Trimester II (May to August), and 40 percent to Trimester III (September to December). Each trimester will close when it is estimated that 95 percent of the butterfish discard cap has been taken. In addition, Framework 8 allows NMFS to transfer, in either direction, up to 50 percent of unused quota between the butterfish landing allocation and the discard cap on the longfin squid fishery. This would occur near the end of the year in order to optimally utilize the butterfish that is available for fishing each year.
2014-03-19; vol. 79 # 53 - Wednesday, March 19, 201479 FR 15252 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Summer Flounder Fishery; Quota Transfer
Title 50 published on 2013-10-01The following are ALL rules, proposed rules, and notices (chronologically) published in the Federal Register relating to 50 CFR 648 after this date.2014-09-04; vol. 79 # 171 - Thursday, September 4, 201479 FR 52578 - Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States
2014-09-03; vol. 79 # 170 - Wednesday, September 3, 201479 FR 52293 - Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Tilefish Fishery; 2015-2017 Specifications
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-20963 RIN0648-BE37 Docket No.140822715-4715-01 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Proposed rule; request for comments. Comments must be received by September 18, 2014. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryNMFS proposes specifications for the commercial tilefish fishery for the 2015, 2016, and 2017 fishing years. This action would set the acceptable biological catch, annual catch limit, total allowable landings, and harvest allocations for the individual fishing quota and incidental fishery components of the commercial tilefish fishery. The intent of this action is to establish allowable harvest levels and other management measures to prevent overfishing while allowing optimum yield, consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and the Tilefish Fishery Management Plan.
2014-08-07; vol. 79 # 152 - Thursday, August 7, 201479 FR 46233 - Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Fishery; Information Collection
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-18676 RIN0648-BD64 Docket No.130822745-4627-01 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Proposed rule; request for comments. Comments must be received by September 8, 2014. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryNMFS proposes an information collection program for the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog fishery. The intended effect of this rule is to collect more detailed information about individuals and businesses that hold fishery quota allocation in the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog individual transferable quota programs. This action is necessary to ensure that the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council has the information needed to develop a future management action intended to establish an excessive share cap in this fishery.
2014-08-01; vol. 79 # 148 - Friday, August 1, 201479 FR 44737 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Summer Flounder Fishery; Notice of a Control Date for the Purpose of Limiting Entry to the Summer Flounder Fishery; Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-18094 RIN0648-BE33 Docket No.140616510-4510-01 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR); request for comments. August 1, 2014 shall be known as the “control date” for the summer flounder fishery, and may be used as a reference date for future management measures related to the maintenance of a fishery with characteristics consistent with the Council&apos;s objectives and applicable Federal laws. Written comments must be received on or before September 2, 2014. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryAt the request of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, this notice announces a control date that may be used to limit the number of participants in the commercial summer flounder fishery. The control date is intended to help the Council to identify latent effort in the summer flounder fishery. NMFS intends this notice to promote awareness of possible rulemaking, alert interested parties of potential eligibility criteria for future access, and discourage speculative entry into and/or investment in the summer flounder fishery while the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and NMFS consider if and how participation in the summer flounder fishery should be controlled. We are soliciting comments on this action.
2014-07-16; vol. 79 # 136 - Wednesday, July 16, 201479 FR 41530 - Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Special Management Zones for Five Delaware Artificial Reefs
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-16704 RIN0648-BD42 Docket No.130702585-4484-01 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Proposed rule; extension of comment period. The deadline for written comments on the proposed rule published on June 19, 2014 (79 FR 35141), is extended from August 4, 2014, to August 19, 2014. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryNMFS extends for 15 days the comment period on the proposed rule to implement special management zones for five Delaware artificial reefs.
79 FR 38274 - Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Fishery
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-15803 RIN0648-BE26 Docket No.140529461-4526-01 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Proposed rule; request for comments. Comments must be received on this action by July 22, 2014. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryBased on request from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, NMFS proposes to lift the closure area referred to as the Northern Temporary Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning Closed Area for bivalve harvesting. NMFS takes this action because this area has not been subject to a toxic algal bloom for several years and testing of bivalve shellfish has demonstrated toxin levels well below those known to cause human illness. In addition, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has developed an agreement with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to conduct paralytic shellfish poisoning monitoring of bivalves from the area in accordance with currently accepted paralytic shellfish poisoning testing procedures.
2014-06-19; vol. 79 # 118 - Thursday, June 19, 201479 FR 35141 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Special Management Zones for Five Delaware Artificial Reefs
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-14358 RIN0648-BD42 Docket No.130702585-4484-01 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Proposed rule; request for comments. Comments must be received by 5 p.m. local time, on August 4, 2014. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryNMFS proposes management measures to implement Special Management Zones for five Delaware artificial reefs under the black sea bass provisions of the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan. The implementing regulations for the Special Management Zones require NMFS to publish proposed measures to provide an opportunity for public comment. The intent of these measures is to promote orderly use of the resource by reducing user group conflicts, and help maintain the intended socioeconomic benefits of the artificial reefs to the maximum extent practicable.
2014-06-13; vol. 79 # 114 - Friday, June 13, 201479 FR 33879 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Herring Fishery; Framework Adjustment 3
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-13611 RIN0648-BE01 Docket No.140221166-4166-01 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Proposed rule, request for comments. Public comments must be received by July 14, 2014. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryFramework Adjustment 3 to the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan would establish a process for setting river herring (alewife and blueback) and shad (American and hickory) catch caps for the herring fishery. In addition, this action would set these catch caps for the 2014 and 2015 fishing years. This action is consistent with Herring Amendment 5, which addresses river herring catch and allows for river herring and shad catch caps to be implemented through a framework. This action would allow the Council to set river herring and shad catch caps and associated measures in future years through specifications or frameworks, whichever is appropriate. Catch of river herring and shad includes both bycatch (discards) and incidental catch that is retained.
2014-05-29; vol. 79 # 103 - Thursday, May 29, 201479 FR 30799 - Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-11901 RIN0648-BD93 Docket No.140128077-4375-01 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Proposed rule; request for comments. Comments must be received on this action by June 30, 2014 . 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryAt the request of the New England Fishery Management Council, this action would add a new method for on-reel trawl gear stowage when fishing vessels are transiting closed areas or fishing in areas with mesh size restrictions. Specifically, this action proposes to allow the use of a highly visible orange mesh material, in addition to the current requirement to use a tarp or similar canvas material. In addition, this action would remove the requirement to detach the towing wires from the doors for all on-reel gear stowage. Finally, to help streamline the gear stowage requirements, this action also proposes to reorganize the current gear stowage regulations. This action would be implemented under authority delegated to the NMFS Regional Administrator, at the request of the Council. This action is intended to improve safety of fishing operations while at sea.
2014-05-27; vol. 79 # 101 - Tuesday, May 27, 201479 FR 30065 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Monkfish; Framework Adjustment 8
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-12059 RIN0648-BD56 Docket No.130726661-4419-01 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Proposed rule; request for comments. Public comments must be received by June 11, 2014. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryNMFS proposes to approve and implement regulations to implement Framework Adjustment 8 to the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan. The New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils developed Framework Adjustment 8 to revise existing monkfish day-at-sea allocations and landing limits to better achieve optimum yield in each fishery management area. Framework Adjustment 8 would also revise biological reference points for the monkfish stocks in the Northern and Southern Fishery Management Areas based on an updated stock assessment, allow vessels issued a limited access monkfish Category H permit to fish throughout the Southern Fishery Management Area, and enable vessels to use an allocated monkfish-only day-at-sea at any time throughout the fishing year.
2014-05-21; vol. 79 # 98 - Wednesday, May 21, 201479 FR 29154 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Skate Complex Fishery; Framework Adjustment 2
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-11664 RIN0648-BD99 Docket No.140220160-4160-01 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Proposed rule; request for comments. Comments must be received on or before June 20, 2014. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryThis rule proposes regulations to approve and implement measures in Framework Adjustment 2 to the Northeast Skate Complex Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The proposed action was developed by the New England Fishery Management Council to set specifications for the skate fisheries for the 2014 and 2015 fishing years, including a reduced annual catch limit and total allowable landings. Framework 2 would also modify reporting requirements for skate fishing vessels and seafood dealers to improve species-specific data collection. The action is necessary to update the Skate FMP to be consistent with the best available scientific information, and improve management of the skate fisheries. The proposed action is expected to help conserve skate stocks, while maintaining economic opportunities for the skate fisheries.
2014-05-13; vol. 79 # 92 - Tuesday, May 13, 201479 FR 27274 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Spiny Dogfish Fishery; Proposed 2014-2015 Spiny Dogfish Specifications
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-11049 RIN0648-BE17 Docket No.140403312-4312-01 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Proposed specifications; request for comments. Comments must be received on or before June 12, 2014. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryThis rule proposes catch limits, commercial quotas, and possession limits for the spiny dogfish fishery for the 2014-2015 fishing years. The proposed action was developed by the Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery Management Councils pursuant to the fishery specification requirements of the Spiny Dogfish Fishery Management Plan. These management measures are supported by the best available scientific information and reflect recent increases in spiny dogfish biomass, and are expected to result in positive economic impacts for the spiny dogfish fishery while maintaining the conservation objectives of the Spiny Dogfish Fishery Management Plan.
2014-05-09; vol. 79 # 90 - Friday, May 9, 201479 FR 26685 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Recreational Management Measures for the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fisheries; Fishing Year 2014
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-10710 RIN0648-BE16 Docket No.140403309-4309-01 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Proposed rule; request for comments. Comments must be received by 5 p.m. local time, on May 27, 2014. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryNMFS proposes management measures for the 2014 summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass recreational fisheries. The implementing regulations for these fisheries require NMFS to publish recreational measures for the fishing year and to provide an opportunity for public comment. The intent of these measures is to prevent overfishing of the summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass resources.
79 FR 26690 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery and Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Framework Adjustment 25
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-10324 RIN0648-BE07 Docket No.140305202-4379-01 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Proposed rule; request for comments. Comments must be received by 5 p.m., local time, on May 27, 2014. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryNMFS proposes to approve and implement regulations for Framework Adjustment 25 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan (Framework 25), which the New England Fishery Management Council adopted and submitted to NMFS for approval. Framework 25 would set specifications for the Atlantic sea scallop fishery for fishing year 2014, including days-at-sea allocations, individual fishing quotas, and sea scallop access area trip allocations. This action would also set precautionary default FY 2015 specifications, in case NMFS implements the next framework after the March 1, 2015, start of fishing year 2015, and the fishery must operate under transitional measures. Framework 25 would allow pounds that went unharvested in Closed Area I Access Area in 2012 and 2013 to be landed in a future year; develop Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic windowpane flounder accountability measures; and provide full-time scallop vessels the option to exchange their allocated Delmarva Access Area trip for 5 days-at-sea.
2014-04-11; vol. 79 # 70 - Friday, April 11, 201479 FR 20161 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Bluefish Fishery; 2014 Atlantic Bluefish Specifications
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-08202 RIN0648-XD13 Docket No.140214138-4138-01 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Proposed specifications; request for comments. Comments must be received on or before April 28, 2014. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryNMFS proposes specifications for the 2014 Atlantic bluefish fishery, including an annual catch limit, total allowable landings, a commercial quota and recreational harvest limit, and a recreational possession limit. The intent of this action is to establish the allowable 2014 harvest levels and other management measures to achieve the target fishing mortality rate, consistent with the Atlantic Bluefish Fishery Management Plan.
2014-04-10; vol. 79 # 69 - Thursday, April 10, 201479 FR 19861 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Spiny Dogfish Fishery; Amendment 3
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-07976 RIN0648-BC77 Docket No.140331031-4031-01 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Proposed rule; request for comments. Comments must be received on or before May 12, 2014. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryThis rule proposes regulations to implement measures in Amendment 3 to the Spiny Dogfish Fishery Management Plan, which was developed by the Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery Management Councils. The proposed management measures include implementing a research set-aside program, updating essential fish habitat definitions, allowing rollover of specifications, and eliminating the seasonal allocation of the commercial quota. These administrative measures are intended to improve the implementation of the Spiny Dogfish Fishery Management Plan and provide benefits to the spiny dogfish fishery.
2014-03-31; vol. 79 # 61 - Monday, March 31, 201479 FR 17995 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fisheries; 2014 Summer Flounder Specifications; 2015 Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Specifications; 2014 Research Set-Aside Projects
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-07123 RIN0648-XD09 Docket No.140117052-4052-01 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Proposed specifications; request for comments. Comments must be received on or before April 15, 2014. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryNMFS proposes revised specifications for the 2014 summer flounder fishery; specifications for the 2015 summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass fisheries; an increase in the commercial scup Winter II possession limit; and provides notice of two projects for which exempted fishing permits may be requested as part of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council&apos;s Research Set-Aside Program. The implementing regulations for the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan require NMFS to publish specifications for the upcoming fishing year for each of these species and to provide an opportunity for public comment. Furthermore, regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act require that NMFS allow the public an opportunity to comment on applications for exempted fishing permits. Accordingly, in addition to proposing catch specifications, NMFS announces exempted fishing permit requests, in accordance with the fishery management plan and Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.
79 FR 18002 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Skate Complex Fishery; Notice of a Control Date for the Purpose of Limiting Entry to the Skate Fishery; Northeast Skate Complex Fishery Management Plan
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-07120 RIN0648-BE04 Docket No.140304191-4191-01 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR); request for comments. March 31, 2014, shall be known as the “control date” for the skate fishery for uses other than bait, and may be used as a reference date for future management measures related to the maintenance of a fishery with characteristics consistent with the Council&apos;s objectives and applicable Federal laws. Written comments must be received on or before April 30, 2014. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryAt the request of the New England Fishery Management Council, this notice announces a control date that may be applicable to limiting the number of participants in the skate fishery for uses other than bait. NMFS intends this notice to promote awareness of possible rulemaking, alert interested parties of potential eligibility criteria for future access, and discourage speculative entry into and/or investment in the skate fishery while the New England Fishery Management Council and NMFS consider if and how participation in the skate fishery should be controlled.
2014-03-26; vol. 79 # 58 - Wednesday, March 26, 201479 FR 16752 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Spiny Dogfish Fishery; Amendment 3 to the Spiny Dogfish Fishery Management Plan
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-06480 RIN0648-BC77 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Notice of availability of a fishery management plan amendment; request for comments. Comments must be received on or before May 27, 2014. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryNMFS announces that the Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery Management Councils have submitted Amendment 3 to the Spiny Dogfish Fishery Management Plan for review by the Secretary of Commerce. NMFS is requesting comments from the public on the Amendment, which was developed by the Councils to improve the efficiency of the spiny dogfish fishery. Amendment 3 would implement a research set-aside program, update essential fish habitat definitions for spiny dogfish, allow carryover of management measures from one year to the next, and remove the seasonal allocation of the commercial quota.
2014-03-24; vol. 79 # 56 - Monday, March 24, 201479 FR 15932 - Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery
typeregulations.gov FR Doc.2014-06421 RIN0648-BC33 Docket No.120710231-2473-01 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Proposed rule, withdrawal. The proposed rule published on October 1, 2012 (77 FR 59883) is withdrawn as of March 24, 2014. 50 CFR Part 648 SummaryNMFS withdraws a proposed rule considering an emergency action that would have partially exempted the scallop fishery from fishing year 2012-related Georges Bank yellowtail flounder accountability measures. Because annual catch limit thresholds were not exceeded, there are no accountability measures from which to exempt the scallop fishery. As a result, the proposed rule is no longer necessary.