Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2017 Commercial Accountability Measure and Closure for South Atlantic Vermilion Snapper, 22615-22616 [2017-09999]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 94 / Wednesday, May 17, 2017 / Rules and Regulations List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165 Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Security measures, Waterways. For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the U. S. Coast Guard amends 33 CFR part 165 as follows: PART 165—REGULATED NAVIGATION AREAS AND LIMITED ACCESS AREAS 1. The authority citation for part 165 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1231; 50 U.S.C. 191; 33 CFR 1.05–1, 6.04–1, 6.04–6, and 160.5; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1. 2. Temporary § 165.T08–0336 is added to read as follows: ■ § 165.T08–0336 Safety Zone; Tennessee River Miles 323.0 to 325.0, Huntsville, AL. (a) Location. All navigable waters of the Tennessee River beginning at mile marker 323.0 and ending at mile marker 325.0 in Huntsville, AL. (b) Effective date. This rule is effective from noon on May 15, 2017 through noon on May 22, 2017. (c) Regulations. (1) In accordance with the general regulations in § 165.23, entry into this area is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Ohio Valley (COTP) or a designated representative. (2) Persons or vessels requiring entry into or passage through the area must request permission from the COTP or a designated representative. U. S. Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley may be contacted on VHF Channel 13 or 16, or at 1–800–253–7465. Dated: May 12, 2017. M.B. Zamperini, Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Ohio Valley. [FR Doc. 2017–10000 Filed 5–16–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9110–04–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 622 [Docket No. 130312235–3658–02] nlaroche on DSK30NT082PROD with RULES RIN 0648–XF424 Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2017 Commercial Accountability Measure and Closure for South Atlantic Vermilion Snapper National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and AGENCY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 13:25 May 16, 2017 Jkt 241001 Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. NMFS implements an accountability measure (AM) for the commercial sector for vermilion snapper in the South Atlantic exclusive economic zone (EEZ). NMFS projects that commercial landings of vermilion snapper will reach the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) for the January through June 2017 fishing season by May 17, 2017. Therefore, NMFS closes the commercial sector for vermilion snapper in the South Atlantic EEZ on May 17, 2017, and it will remain closed until July 1, 2017, the start of the July through December commercial fishing season. This closure is necessary to protect the South Atlantic vermilion snapper resource. DATES: This rule is effective from 12:01 a.m., local time, May 17, 2017, until 12:01 a.m., local time, July 1, 2017. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Vara, NMFS Southeast Regional Office, telephone: 727–824–5305, email: mary.vara@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The snapper-grouper fishery of the South Atlantic includes vermilion snapper and is managed under the Fishery Management Plan for the SnapperGrouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (FMP). The FMP was prepared by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council and is implemented by NMFS under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) by regulations at 50 CFR part 622. The commercial ACL (equivalent to the commercial quota) for vermilion snapper in the South Atlantic is divided into separate quotas for two 6-month seasons, January through June and July through December. For the January through June fishing season in 2017, the commercial quota is 388,703 lb (176,313 kg), gutted weight (431,460 lb (195,707 kg), round weight), as specified in 50 CFR 622.190(a)(4)(i)(D). On March 22, 2017 (82 FR 14641), NMFS published a temporary rule in the Federal Register to reduce the commercial trip limit for vermilion snapper in or from the South Atlantic EEZ to 500 lb (227 kg), gutted weight, effective at 12:01 a.m., local time, March 22, 2017, until July 1, 2017, or until the commercial quota was reached and the commercial sector closed, whichever would occur first. In accordance with regulations at 50 CFR 622.193(f)(1), NMFS is required to close the commercial sector for SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 22615 vermilion snapper when the commercial quota for that portion of the fishing year has been reached, or is projected to be reached, by filing a notification to that effect with the Office of the Federal Register. NMFS has determined that the commercial quota for South Atlantic vermilion snapper for the January through June fishing season will be reached by May 17, 2017. Accordingly, the commercial sector for South Atlantic vermilion snapper is closed effective at 12:01 a.m., local time, May 17, 2017, until 12:01 a.m., local time, July 1, 2017. The operator of a vessel with a valid commercial vessel permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper with vermilion snapper on board must have landed and bartered, traded, or sold such vermilion snapper prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, May 17, 2017. During the commercial closure, the recreational bag limit specified in 50 CFR 622.187(b)(5) and the possession limits specified in 50 CFR 622.187(c)(1) apply to all harvest or possession of vermilion snapper in or from the South Atlantic EEZ. Also during the commercial closure, the sale or purchase of vermilion snapper taken from the EEZ is prohibited. As specified in 50 CFR 622.190(c)(1)(i), the prohibition on sale or purchase does not apply to the sale or purchase of vermilion snapper that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, May 17, 2017, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor. For a person on board a vessel for which a valid Federal commercial or charter vessel/headboat permit for the South Atlantic snappergrouper fishery has been issued, the bag and possession limits and the sale and purchase provisions of the commercial closure for vermilion snapper apply regardless of whether the fish are harvested in state or Federal waters, as specified in 50 CFR 622.190(c)(1)(ii). Classification The Regional Administrator for the NMFS Southeast Region has determined this temporary rule is necessary for the conservation and management of South Atlantic vermilion snapper and is consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other applicable laws. This action is taken under 50 CFR 622.193(f)(1) and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. This action responds to the best scientific information available. The Assistant Administrator for NOAA Fisheries (AA) finds that the need to immediately implement this action to close the commercial sector for vermilion snapper constitutes good cause to waive the requirements to provide prior notice and opportunity for E:\FR\FM\17MYR1.SGM 17MYR1 22616 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 94 / Wednesday, May 17, 2017 / Rules and Regulations public comment pursuant to the authority set forth in 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), as such procedures would be unnecessary and contrary to the public interest. Such procedures are unnecessary because the rule implementing the AM has been subject to notice and comment, and all that remains is to notify the public of the closure. Prior notice and opportunity for public comment on this action are contrary to the public interest because there is a need to immediately implement this action to protect the vermilion snapper resource, as the capacity of the fishing fleet allows for rapid harvest of the commercial quota. Prior notice and opportunity for public comment would require time and could result in a harvest well in excess of the established commercial quota. For the aforementioned reasons, the AA also finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in the effectiveness of this action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: May 12, 2017. Karen H. Abrams, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017–09999 Filed 5–12–17; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 635 [Docket No. 150121066–5717–02] RIN 0648–XF413 Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason General category retention limit adjustment. AGENCY: NMFS is adjusting the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) General category daily retention limit from the default limit of one large medium or giant BFT to four large medium or giant BFT for June 1 through August 31, 2017. This action is based on consideration of the regulatory determination criteria regarding inseason adjustments, and applies to Atlantic Tunas General category (commercial) permitted vessels and Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Charter/Headboat category permitted nlaroche on DSK30NT082PROD with RULES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 13:25 May 16, 2017 Jkt 241001 vessels when fishing commercially for BFT. DATES: Effective June 1, 2017, through August 31, 2017. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah McLaughlin or Brad McHale, 978–281–9260. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations implemented under the authority of the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA; 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.) and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act; 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) governing the harvest of BFT by persons and vessels subject to U.S. jurisdiction are found at 50 CFR part 635. Section 635.27 subdivides the U.S. BFT quota recommended by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) among the various domestic fishing categories, per the allocations established in the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan (2006 Consolidated HMS FMP) (71 FR 58058, October 2, 2006) and amendments, and in accordance with implementing regulations. NMFS is required under ATCA and the Magnuson-Stevens Act to provide U.S. fishing vessels with a reasonable opportunity to harvest the ICCAT-recommended quota. The currently codified baseline U.S. quota is 1,058.9 mt (not including the 25 mt ICCAT allocated to the United States to account for bycatch of BFT in pelagic longline fisheries in the Northeast Distant Gear Restricted Area). See § 635.27(a). The currently codified General category quota is 466.7 mt. Each of the General category time periods (‘‘January,’’ June through August, September, October through November, and December) is allocated a portion of the annual General category quota. The codified June through August subquota is 233.3 mt. Adjustment of General Category Daily Retention Limit Unless changed, the General category daily retention limit starting on June 1 would be the default retention limit of one large medium or giant BFT (measuring 73 inches (185 cm) curved fork length (CFL) or greater) per vessel per day/trip (§ 635.23(a)(2)). This default retention limit would apply to General category permitted vessels and to HMS Charter/Headboat category permitted vessels when fishing commercially for BFT. For the 2016 fishing year, NMFS adjusted the daily retention limit from the default level of one large medium or giant BFT to three large medium or giant BFT for the PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 January subquota period (80 FR 77264, December 14, 2015), which closed effective March 29, 2016 (the regulations allow the General category fishery under the ‘‘January’’ subquota to continue until the subquota is reached, or March 31, whichever comes first); five large medium or giant BFT for the June through August subquota period (81 FR 29501, May 12, 2016) as well as for September 1 through October 8, 2016 (81 FR 59153, August 29, 2016); four large medium or giant BFT for October 9 through October 16, 2016 (81 FR 70369, October 12, 2016); and two large medium or giant BFT for October 17 through December 31, 2016 (81 FR 71639, October 18, 2016). NMFS closed the 2016 General category fishery effective November 4, 2016 (81 FR 76874, November 4, 2016). NMFS adjusted the daily retention limit for the 2017 January subquota period from the default level of one large medium or giant BFT to three large medium or giant BFT in the same action as the 16.3-mt transfer from the December 2016 subquota period to the January 2016 subquota period (81 FR 91873, December 19, 2016), and closed the January 2017 fishery on March 29 (82 FR 16136, April 3, 2017). Under § 635.23(a)(4), NMFS may increase or decrease the daily retention limit of large medium and giant BFT over a range of zero to a maximum of five per vessel based on consideration of the relevant criteria provided under § 635.27(a)(8). NMFS has considered these criteria and their applicability to the General category BFT retention limit for June through August 2017. These considerations include, but are not limited to, the following: Regarding the usefulness of information obtained from catches in the particular category for biological sampling and monitoring of the status of the stock (§ 635.27(a)(8)(i)), biological samples collected from BFT landed by General category fishermen and provided by BFT dealers continue to provide NMFS with valuable data for ongoing scientific studies of BFT age and growth, migration, and reproductive status. Additional opportunity to land BFT would support the collection of a broad range of data for these studies and for stock monitoring purposes. NMFS also considered the catches of the General category quota to date (including during the fall and winter fishery in the last several years), and the likelihood of closure of that segment of the fishery if no adjustment is made (§ 635.27(a)(8)(ii)). Commercial-size BFT are anticipated to migrate to the fishing grounds off the northeast U.S. coast by early June. Based on General category E:\FR\FM\17MYR1.SGM 17MYR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 94 (Wednesday, May 17, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22615-22616]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-09999]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 130312235-3658-02]
RIN 0648-XF424


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
2017 Commercial Accountability Measure and Closure for South Atlantic 
Vermilion Snapper

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS implements an accountability measure (AM) for the 
commercial sector for vermilion snapper in the South Atlantic exclusive 
economic zone (EEZ). NMFS projects that commercial landings of 
vermilion snapper will reach the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) 
for the January through June 2017 fishing season by May 17, 2017. 
Therefore, NMFS closes the commercial sector for vermilion snapper in 
the South Atlantic EEZ on May 17, 2017, and it will remain closed until 
July 1, 2017, the start of the July through December commercial fishing 
season. This closure is necessary to protect the South Atlantic 
vermilion snapper resource.

DATES: This rule is effective from 12:01 a.m., local time, May 17, 
2017, until 12:01 a.m., local time, July 1, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Vara, NMFS Southeast Regional 
Office, telephone: 727-824-5305, email: mary.vara@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The snapper-grouper fishery of the South 
Atlantic includes vermilion snapper and is managed under the Fishery 
Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic 
Region (FMP). The FMP was prepared by the South Atlantic Fishery 
Management Council and is implemented by NMFS under the authority of 
the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-
Stevens Act) by regulations at 50 CFR part 622.
    The commercial ACL (equivalent to the commercial quota) for 
vermilion snapper in the South Atlantic is divided into separate quotas 
for two 6-month seasons, January through June and July through 
December. For the January through June fishing season in 2017, the 
commercial quota is 388,703 lb (176,313 kg), gutted weight (431,460 lb 
(195,707 kg), round weight), as specified in 50 CFR 
622.190(a)(4)(i)(D).
    On March 22, 2017 (82 FR 14641), NMFS published a temporary rule in 
the Federal Register to reduce the commercial trip limit for vermilion 
snapper in or from the South Atlantic EEZ to 500 lb (227 kg), gutted 
weight, effective at 12:01 a.m., local time, March 22, 2017, until July 
1, 2017, or until the commercial quota was reached and the commercial 
sector closed, whichever would occur first.
    In accordance with regulations at 50 CFR 622.193(f)(1), NMFS is 
required to close the commercial sector for vermilion snapper when the 
commercial quota for that portion of the fishing year has been reached, 
or is projected to be reached, by filing a notification to that effect 
with the Office of the Federal Register. NMFS has determined that the 
commercial quota for South Atlantic vermilion snapper for the January 
through June fishing season will be reached by May 17, 2017. 
Accordingly, the commercial sector for South Atlantic vermilion snapper 
is closed effective at 12:01 a.m., local time, May 17, 2017, until 
12:01 a.m., local time, July 1, 2017.
    The operator of a vessel with a valid commercial vessel permit for 
South Atlantic snapper-grouper with vermilion snapper on board must 
have landed and bartered, traded, or sold such vermilion snapper prior 
to 12:01 a.m., local time, May 17, 2017. During the commercial closure, 
the recreational bag limit specified in 50 CFR 622.187(b)(5) and the 
possession limits specified in 50 CFR 622.187(c)(1) apply to all 
harvest or possession of vermilion snapper in or from the South 
Atlantic EEZ. Also during the commercial closure, the sale or purchase 
of vermilion snapper taken from the EEZ is prohibited. As specified in 
50 CFR 622.190(c)(1)(i), the prohibition on sale or purchase does not 
apply to the sale or purchase of vermilion snapper that were harvested, 
landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, May 17, 2017, 
and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor. For a person on 
board a vessel for which a valid Federal commercial or charter vessel/
headboat permit for the South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery has been 
issued, the bag and possession limits and the sale and purchase 
provisions of the commercial closure for vermilion snapper apply 
regardless of whether the fish are harvested in state or Federal 
waters, as specified in 50 CFR 622.190(c)(1)(ii).

Classification

    The Regional Administrator for the NMFS Southeast Region has 
determined this temporary rule is necessary for the conservation and 
management of South Atlantic vermilion snapper and is consistent with 
the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other applicable laws.
    This action is taken under 50 CFR 622.193(f)(1) and is exempt from 
review under Executive Order 12866.
    This action responds to the best scientific information available. 
The Assistant Administrator for NOAA Fisheries (AA) finds that the need 
to immediately implement this action to close the commercial sector for 
vermilion snapper constitutes good cause to waive the requirements to 
provide prior notice and opportunity for

[[Page 22616]]

public comment pursuant to the authority set forth in 5 U.S.C. 
553(b)(B), as such procedures would be unnecessary and contrary to the 
public interest. Such procedures are unnecessary because the rule 
implementing the AM has been subject to notice and comment, and all 
that remains is to notify the public of the closure. Prior notice and 
opportunity for public comment on this action are contrary to the 
public interest because there is a need to immediately implement this 
action to protect the vermilion snapper resource, as the capacity of 
the fishing fleet allows for rapid harvest of the commercial quota. 
Prior notice and opportunity for public comment would require time and 
could result in a harvest well in excess of the established commercial 
quota.
    For the aforementioned reasons, the AA also finds good cause to 
waive the 30-day delay in the effectiveness of this action under 5 
U.S.C. 553(d)(3).

    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: May 12, 2017.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-09999 Filed 5-12-17; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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