Source: https://regulations.justia.com/regulations/fedreg/2016/06/28/2016-15202.html
Timestamp: 2020-01-24 23:15:45
Document Index: 206449212

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 11', '§ 11', '§ 11', '§ 11', '§ 11', 'art 648', 'art 660']

Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Small-Mesh Multispecies Specifications, 41866-41868 [2016-15202] :: National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration :: Department Of Commerce :: Regulation Tracker :: Justia
Justia Regulation Tracker Department Of Commerce National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Small-Mesh Multispecies Specifications, 41866-41868 [2016-15202]
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Small-Mesh Multispecies Specifications, 41866-41868 [2016-15202]
Download as PDF 41866 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 124 / Tuesday, June 28, 2016 / Rules and Regulations Subpart D—Civil Monetary Penalty Inflation Adjustments Sec. 11.31 11.32 11.33 11.34 Definitions. Purpose and scope. Adjustments to penalties. Subsequent adjustments. Subpart D—Civil Monetary Penalty Inflation Adjustments § 11.31 Definitions. (a) Civil monetary penalty means any penalty, fine, or other sanction that: (1)(i) Is for a specific monetary amount as provided by Federal law; or (ii) Has a maximum amount provided for by Federal law; (2) Is assessed or enforced by an agency pursuant to Federal law; and (3) Is assessed or enforced pursuant to an administrative proceeding or a civil action in the Federal courts. (b) Inflation Adjustment Act means the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (Pub. L. 114–74, November 2, 2015, 129 Stat. 584, 28 U.S.C. 2461 note). § 11.32 Purpose and scope. The purpose of this part is to make the inflation adjustment, described in and required by the Inflation Adjustment Act, of each civil monetary penalty provided by law within the jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. § 11.33 Adjustments to penalties. The civil monetary penalties provided by law within the jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are adjusted as follows: Maximum civil monetary penalty Law Citation Type of violation (a) African Elephant Conservation Act ................ (b) Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act .......... (c) Endangered Species Act of 1973 .................. 16 U.S.C. 4224(b) ............ 16 U.S.C. 668(b) .............. 16 U.S.C. 1540(a)(1) ........ (d) Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 ................... 16 U.S.C. 3373(a) ............ Any violation ....................................................... Any violation ....................................................... (1) Knowing violation of section 1538 ................ (2) Other knowing violation ................................ (3) Any other violation ........................................ (1) Violations referred to in 16 U.S.C. 3373(a)(1). (2) Violations referred to in 16 U.S.C. 3373(a)(2). Any violation ....................................................... (1) Violation involving use of force or violence or threatened use of force or violence. (2) Any other violation ........................................ Any violation ....................................................... $9,893 12,500 49,467 23,744 1,250 25,000 (1) Violation of section 4910(a)(1), section 4910(a)(2), or any permit issued under section 4911. (2) Violation of section 4910(a)(3) ...................... (3) Any other violation ........................................ 41,932 (e) Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 ........ (f) Recreational Hunting Safety Act of 1994 ....... 16 U.S.C. 1375 ................. 16 U.S.C. 5202(b) ............ (g) Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1998. (h) Wild Bird Conservation Act ............................ 16 U.S.C. 5305a(b)(2) ...... § 11.34 Subsequent adjustments. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE The Secretary of the Interior or his or her designee will, every year after August 1, 2016, make the inflation adjustment described in and required by the Inflation Adjustment Act of each civil monetary penalty provided by law and within the jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Each annual adjustment will be reflected in the table in § 11.33. Dated: June 21, 2016. Michael J. Bean, Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks. [FR Doc. 2016–15268 Filed 6–27–16; 8:45 am] asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES BILLING CODE 4333–15–P 16 U.S.C. 4912(a)(1) ........ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 648 [Docket No. 160202068–6532–02] RIN 0648–XE425 Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Small-Mesh Multispecies Specifications National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Final rule. AGENCY: This final rule modifies the specifications for northern and southern red hake for fishing years 2016 and 2017. This action is necessary to implement the Council’s recommended measures in response to updated scientific information. These final specifications are intended to help achieve sustainable yield and prevent SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:05 Jun 27, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00080 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 625 25,000 15,909 7,954 17,403 20,127 839 overfishing on these two red hake stocks. Effective June 28, 2016, until the effective date of the 2018–19 annual specifications and management measures, which will publish in the Federal Register. ADDRESSES: Copies of the specifications document, consisting of an Environmental Assessment (EA) and other supporting documents, are available from Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, New England Fishery Management Council, 50 Water Street, Newburyport, MA 01950. This document is also available from the following internet addresses: www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/ or www.nefmc.org. Copies of the small entity compliance guide are available from John K. Bullard, Regional Administrator, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930–2298. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Burns, Fishery Policy Analyst, (978) 281–9144. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DATES: E:\FR\FM\28JNR1.SGM 28JNR1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 124 / Tuesday, June 28, 2016 / Rules and Regulations Background The New England Fishery Management Council manages the small-mesh multispecies fishery primarily through a series of exemptions from the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The smallmesh multispecies fishery is composed of five stocks of three species of hakes (northern and southern silver hake, northern and southern red hake, and offshore hake). It is managed separately from the other stocks of groundfish such as cod, haddock, and flounders, primarily because the fishery uses small mesh and modified nets that do not generally result in the catch of these other stocks. Amendment 19 to the Northeast Multispecies FMP (April 4, 2013; 78 FR 20260) established a process for setting the small-mesh multispecies catch specifications, as well as set the specifications for the 2012–2014 fishing years. On May 28, 2015, NMFS published specifications for the 2015–2017 fishing years, based on stock assessment updates using data through the spring 2014 survey (80 FR 30379). The Northeast Fisheries Science Center completed a stock assessment update in 2015, using data through the 2015 spring survey. The 2015 update indicates that the northern red hake stock is increasing in biomass, while the southern stock is decreasing. The purpose of this action is to modify the northern and southern red hake specifications for the 2016 and 2017 fishing years. The Council recommended these changes in response to its review of the 2015 assessment update. The 2015 stock assessment update showed an increase in the northern red hake stock and a decrease in the southern red hake stock; however, the reasons for the decline in the southern stock area are unclear. In response to the updated stock 41867 assessment, the Council recommends modifications to the annual catch limits and total allowable landings limits. Final Measures This rule increases the northern red hake and decreases the southern red hake 2016 and 2017 annual catch limits and total allowable landings limits (Table 1), consistent with the stock assessment update and the Council’s recommendation. The increase to the northern stock specifications will reduce unnecessary discards by delaying a reduction in the possession limits. This action will benefit the fishery without increasing the risk of overfishing. The decrease in the southern stock specifications is necessary to reduce the risk of overfishing, even though recent landings are approximately 20 percent below the revised level of total allowable landings (Table 2). TABLE 1—SUMMARY OF THE REVISED 2016 AND 2017 RED HAKE SPECIFICATIONS, IN METRIC TONS Northern red hake Existing Overfishing Limit .............................................................................................. Acceptable Biological Catch ............................................................................ Annual Catch Limit (ACL) ................................................................................ Total Allowable Landings (TAL) ....................................................................... fishing year began on May 1, 2016, delaying the effectiveness of this action, particularly the increase in the northern red hake catch limits, would not be in Revised ACL ............. 471 1,631 the best interest of the fishery resource 2014 Catch ............... 278 1,277 or vessels fishing for small-mesh % of Revised ACL .... 56% 74% Revised TAL ............. 120 746 multispecies. The intent of this action is 2014 Landings .......... 74 603 to allow the fishery to benefit from the % of Revised TAL .... 62% 81% increase in the northern red hake biomass by increasing the overall catch limits for the fishery. This action will Comments and Responses also help to reduce red hake discards by On April 7, 2016, NMFS published ensuring that the possession limits are proposed specifications for public not reduced sooner than necessary. The notice and comment. NMFS did not receive any comments in response to the accountability measures for the fishery require that the possession limits be proposed rule. reduced once certain harvest triggers are Classification met. If the 30-day delay in the effective date stands, there is a risk that earlyThe Administrator, Greater Atlantic season fishing effort on the northern red Region, NMFS, determined that this hake stock could trigger a reduction in final rule is necessary for the the possession limits before the increase conservation and management of the in overall catch limits contained in this small-mesh multispecies fishery and that it is consistent with the Magnuson- final rule take effect. In 2012 and 2013, northern red hake catch rates exceeded Stevens Act and other applicable laws. This action is exempt from review the Annual Catch Limits (ACL) and under E.O. 12866 because this action Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) and contains no implementing regulations. the possession limit was reduced to the asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:05 Jun 27, 2016 Southern red hake Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00081 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Revised 331 287 273 104.2 The Assistant Administrator finds TABLE 2—COMPARISON OF REVISED 2016–2017 RED HAKE SPECIFICA- good cause under the authority of 5 TIONS AND 2014 CATCH AND LAND- U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to waive the 30-day delay of the effective date. Because the INGS, IN METRIC TONS Northern red hake Southern red hake 556 496 471 120 Existing 3,400 3,179 3,021 1,309.4 Revised 1,816 1,717 1,631 746 incidental level earlier than anticipated. Such a situation could cause economic hardship for fishermen by restricting them to a lower possession limit until the higher catch limits contained in this rule take effect and the higher possession limits are re-instated. Therefore, having the increased catch limits take effect upon publication will optimize the benefits to the industry by extending the season and will benefit the resource by helping to prevent excess discards and overages to the ACL and ABC. In addition, making the measures in this final rule effective upon publication will assist in reducing the risk of overfishing the southern red hake stock, even though the fishery is not expected to exceed the reduced catch limits. 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 E:\FR\FM\28JNR1.SGM 28JNR1 41868 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 124 / Tuesday, June 28, 2016 / Rules and Regulations regulatory flexibility analysis is not required and none was prepared. There are no new reporting or recordkeeping requirements contained in any of the final measures included in this action. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: June 22, 2016. Samuel D. Rauch III, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service. Background Changes to Trip Limits the Limited Entry Fixed Gear and Open Access Sablefish Daily Trip Limit Fisheries North of 36° N. lat. [FR Doc. 2016–15202 Filed 6–27–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 660 [Docket No. 140904754–5188–02] RIN 0648–BG08 Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 2015–2016 Biennial Specifications and Management Measures; Inseason Adjustments National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Final rule; inseason adjustments to biennial groundfish management measures. AGENCY: This final rule announces inseason changes to management measures in the Pacific Coast groundfish fisheries. This action, which is authorized by the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (PCGFMP), is intended to allow fisheries to attain their allocations and maintain year-round fishing opportunities while keeping harvest within the annual catch limit (ACL) for sablefish north 36° N. lat. DATES: This final rule is effective June 28, 2016. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gretchen Hanshew, phone: 206–526– 6147, fax: 206–526–6736, or email: gretchen.hanshew@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES SUMMARY: Electronic Access This rule is accessible via the Internet at the Office of the Federal Register Web site at https://www.federalregister.gov. Background information and documents are available at the Pacific Fishery Management Council’s Web site at VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:05 Jun 27, 2016 Jkt 238001 http://www.pcouncil.org/. Copies of the final environmental impact statement (FEIS) for the Groundfish Specifications and Management Measures for 2015– 2016 and Biennial Periods Thereafter are available from Chuck Tracy, Acting Executive Director, Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council), 7700 NE Ambassador Place, Portland, OR 97220, phone: 503–820–2280. The best available fisheries information indicates that catch of sablefish in the commercial non-trawl fisheries north of 36° N. lat. in 2016 will be higher than anticipated. The Council considered updated projections and the status of ongoing groundfish fisheries at its March 9–14, 2016, and April 9–14, 2016, meetings. The Council considered 2015 fishery harvest estimates and fishery models, updated with the best estimate reports from the Pacific Fishery Information Network through February 28, 2016. At its March meeting, the Council considered updated projections, indicating that sablefish landings through the end of the year would exceed the sablefish allocation in the limited entry fixed gear daily trip limit (DTL) fishery north of 36° N. lat. Projected landings in the limited entry fixed gear DTL fishery north of 36° N. lat. vary based on assumptions on the price per pound. If no action is taken— and this higher than anticipated catch continues in the limited entry fixed gear DTL fishery—then projected landings range from 90 percent of the allocation (low price assumption) to over 100 percent of the allocation (high price assumption) through the end of the year. In recent years, the Council has taken a precautionary approach to setting trip limits at the start of the year. Setting trip limits to target approximately 90 percent attainment of the allocation allows for flexibility to increase trip limits later in the year if harvest remains at or lower than anticipated levels, and also reduces the risk of early closure if catches are higher than anticipated. The Council considered a modest decrease to the weekly limit in the limited entry fixed gear DTL fishery north of 36° N. lat. With a slightly smaller weekly limit, harvest estimates through the end of the year were reduced to between 81 and 93 percent of the allocation (under low and high price per pound assumptions, respectively). PO 00000 Frm 00082 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 The Council recommended and NMFS is implementing a reduction in the weekly limit for sablefish in the limited entry fixed gear fishery north of 36° N. lat. from ‘‘1,275 lb per week, not to exceed 3,375 lb per two months’’ to ‘‘1,125 lb per week, not to exceed 3,375 lb per two months.’’ At its April meeting, the Council considered 2015 fishery performance, status of ongoing fisheries in 2016, updated projections, and requests from industry regarding the open access DTL fishery north of 36° N. lat. Harvest of sablefish in the open access DTL fishery north of 36° N. lat. exceeded its allocation in 2015. Industry raised concerns that participation levels seen in 2015 may further increase in 2016 due to a predicted poor salmon fishing season and lack of a Dungeness crab fishery off California. If no action is taken and this higher than anticipated catch continues in the open access DTL fishery, landings through the end of the year are projected to be 70 percent of the allocation. The Council considered these updated projections, and concerns and recommendations from industry representatives. Based on public testimony, there is anecdotal evidence of a sharp increase in participation in this fishery, particularly in southern Oregon and northern California ports. Industry representatives recommended a precautionary decrease in trip limits beginning July 1 to slow landings and maintain year-round fishing opportunities. The Council considered a precautionary reduction to open access DTL trip limits to maintain harvest opportunities throughout the year even under much higher participation levels. The Council recommended and NMFS is implementing a reduction in the trip limit for sablefish in the open access fishery north of 36° N. lat. from ‘‘300 lb per day, or one landing per week of up to 1,000 lb, not to exceed 2,000 lb per two months’’ to ‘‘300 lb per day, or one landing per week of up to 850 lb, not to exceed 1,700 lb per two months,’’ beginning July 1, 2016. Decreases to trip limits in the limited entry fixed gear and open access DTL fisheries north of 36° N. lat. are intended to allow year-round fishing opportunities and reduce the risk of closure as occurred in 2015 (when the limited entry fixed gear and open access DTL fisheries north of 36° N. lat. were both closed on November 1, reducing the season length by two months). Classification This final rule makes routine inseason adjustments to groundfish fishery management measures, based on the best available information, consistent E:\FR\FM\28JNR1.SGM 28JNR1
[Pages 41866-41868]
[FR Doc No: 2016-15202]
[Docket No. 160202068-6532-02]
RIN 0648-XE425
SUMMARY: This final rule modifies the specifications for northern and
southern red hake for fishing years 2016 and 2017. This action is
necessary to implement the Council's recommended measures in response
to updated scientific information. These final specifications are
intended to help achieve sustainable yield and prevent overfishing on
these two red hake stocks.
DATES: Effective June 28, 2016, until the effective date of the 2018-19
annual specifications and management measures, which will publish in
Management Council, 50 Water Street, Newburyport, MA 01950. This
document is also available from the following internet addresses:
www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/ or www.nefmc.org. Copies of the
small entity compliance guide are available from John K. Bullard,
Regional Administrator, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 55
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Burns, Fishery Policy Analyst,
(978) 281-9144.
The New England Fishery Management Council manages the small-mesh
multispecies fishery primarily through a series of exemptions from the
Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The small-mesh
multispecies fishery is composed of five stocks of three species of
hakes (northern and southern silver hake, northern and southern red
hake, and offshore hake). It is managed separately from the other
stocks of groundfish such as cod, haddock, and flounders, primarily
because the fishery uses small mesh and modified nets that do not
generally result in the catch of these other stocks. Amendment 19 to
the Northeast Multispecies FMP (April 4, 2013; 78 FR 20260) established
a process for setting the small-mesh multispecies catch specifications,
as well as set the specifications for the 2012-2014 fishing years. On
May 28, 2015, NMFS published specifications for the 2015-2017 fishing
years, based on stock assessment updates using data through the spring
2014 survey (80 FR 30379). The Northeast Fisheries Science Center
completed a stock assessment update in 2015, using data through the
2015 spring survey. The 2015 update indicates that the northern red
hake stock is increasing in biomass, while the southern stock is
The purpose of this action is to modify the northern and southern
red hake specifications for the 2016 and 2017 fishing years. The
Council recommended these changes in response to its review of the 2015
assessment update. The 2015 stock assessment update showed an increase
in the northern red hake stock and a decrease in the southern red hake
stock; however, the reasons for the decline in the southern stock area
are unclear. In response to the updated stock assessment, the Council
recommends modifications to the annual catch limits and total allowable
landings limits.
This rule increases the northern red hake and decreases the
southern red hake 2016 and 2017 annual catch limits and total allowable
landings limits (Table 1), consistent with the stock assessment update
and the Council's recommendation. The increase to the northern stock
specifications will reduce unnecessary discards by delaying a reduction
in the possession limits. This action will benefit the fishery without
increasing the risk of overfishing. The decrease in the southern stock
specifications is necessary to reduce the risk of overfishing, even
though recent landings are approximately 20 percent below the revised
level of total allowable landings (Table 2).
Table 1--Summary of the Revised 2016 and 2017 Red Hake Specifications, in Metric Tons
Northern  red hake              Southern  red hake
Existing         Revised        Existing         Revised
Overfishing Limit...............................             331             556           3,400           1,816
Acceptable Biological Catch.....................             287             496           3,179           1,717
Annual Catch Limit (ACL)........................             273             471           3,021           1,631
Total Allowable Landings (TAL)..................           104.2             120         1,309.4             746
Table 2--Comparison of Revised 2016-2017 Red Hake Specifications and
2014 Catch and Landings, in Metric Tons
red hake   red hake
Revised ACL.......................................        471      1,631
2014 Catch........................................        278      1,277
% of Revised ACL..................................        56%        74%
Revised TAL.......................................        120        746
2014 Landings.....................................         74        603
% of Revised TAL..................................        62%        81%
On April 7, 2016, NMFS published proposed specifications for public
notice and comment. NMFS did not receive any comments in response to
This action is exempt from review under E.O. 12866 because this
action contains no implementing regulations.
The Assistant Administrator finds good cause under the authority of
5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to waive the 30-day delay of the effective date.
Because the fishing year began on May 1, 2016, delaying the
effectiveness of this action, particularly the increase in the northern
red hake catch limits, would not be in the best interest of the fishery
resource or vessels fishing for small-mesh multispecies. The intent of
this action is to allow the fishery to benefit from the increase in the
northern red hake biomass by increasing the overall catch limits for
the fishery. This action will also help to reduce red hake discards by
ensuring that the possession limits are not reduced sooner than
necessary. The accountability measures for the fishery require that the
possession limits be reduced once certain harvest triggers are met. If
the 30-day delay in the effective date stands, there is a risk that
early-season fishing effort on the northern red hake stock could
trigger a reduction in the possession limits before the increase in
overall catch limits contained in this final rule take effect. In 2012
and 2013, northern red hake catch rates exceeded the Annual Catch
Limits (ACL) and Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) and the possession
limit was reduced to the incidental level earlier than anticipated.
Such a situation could cause economic hardship for fishermen by
restricting them to a lower possession limit until the higher catch
limits contained in this rule take effect and the higher possession
limits are re-instated. Therefore, having the increased catch limits
take effect upon publication will optimize the benefits to the industry
by extending the season and will benefit the resource by helping to
prevent excess discards and overages to the ACL and ABC.
In addition, making the measures in this final rule effective upon
publication will assist in reducing the risk of overfishing the
southern red hake stock, even though the fishery is not expected to
exceed the reduced catch limits.
regarding this certification. As a result, a
[[Page 41868]]
regulatory flexibility analysis is not required and none was prepared.
in any of the final measures included in this action.