Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries; Closure of the Trimester II Fishery for Loligo, 40986-40987 [08-1440]

Download as PDF rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with RULES 40986 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 138 / Thursday, July 17, 2008 / Rules and Regulations National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA): The FWS has determined that this direct final rule is categorically excluded from further NEPA review as provided by 516 DM 2, Appendix 1.9, of the Department of the Interior National Environmental Policy Act Revised Implementing Procedures (69 FR 10866, March 8, 2004). No further documentation will be made. Government-to-Government Relationship with Tribes: Under the President’s memorandum of April 29, 1994, ‘‘Government-to-Government Relations with Native American Tribal Governments’’ (59 FR 22951) and 512 DM 2, we have evaluated possible effects on federally recognized Indian Tribes and have determined that there are no effects. Individual tribal members must meet the same regulatory requirements as other individuals who trade internationally in CITES species. Energy Supply, Distribution or Use: On May 18, 2001, the President issued Executive Order 13211 on regulations that significantly affect energy supply, distribution, and use. This rule revises the current regulations in 50 CFR part 23 that implement CITES. The regulations provide procedures to assist individuals and businesses that import, export, and re-export CITES wildlife and plants, and their parts, products, and derivatives, to meet international requirements. This rule will not significantly affect energy supplies, distribution, and use. Therefore, this action is a not a significant energy action and no Statement of Energy Effects is required. Clarity of this regulation: We are required by Executive Orders 12866 and 12988 and by the Presidential Memorandum of June 1, 1998, to write all rules in plain language. This means that each rule we publish must: (a) Be logically organized; (b) Use the active voice to address readers directly; (c) Use clear language rather than jargon; (d) Be divided into short sections and sentences; and (e) Use lists and tables wherever possible. If you feel that we have not met these requirements, send us comments by one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section. To better help us revise the rule, your comments should be as specific as possible. For example, you should tell us the numbers of the sections or paragraphs that are unclearly written, which sections or sentences are too long, the sections where you feel lists or tables would be useful, etc. VerDate Aug<31>2005 19:59 Jul 16, 2008 Jkt 214001 Public Comments We are seeking comments on whether the provisions in this direct final rule allow the affected public to effectively comply with CITES. You may submit your comments and materials concerning this rule by one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section. We will not accept comments sent by e-mail or fax or to an address not listed in the ADDRESSES section. We will post your entire comment— including your personal identifying information—on https:// www.regulations.gov. If you provide personal identifying information in your written comments you may request at the top of your document that we withhold this information from public review. However, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Comments and materials we receive, as well as supporting documentation we used in preparing this direct final rule, will be available for public inspection on https://www.regulations.gov, or by appointment, during normal business hours, at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Division of Management Authority; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 212; Arlington, VA 22203; telephone, (703) 358–2093. List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 23 Animals, Endangered and threatened species, Exports, Fish, Foreign officials, Foreign trade, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Transportation, Treaties, Wildlife. Regulation Promulgation For the reasons given in the preamble, we amend title 50, chapter I, subchapter B of the CFR as follows: PART 23—[AMENDED] 1. The authority citation for part 23 continues to read as follows: I Authority: Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (March 3, 1973), 27 U.S.T. 1087; and Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. § 23.15 [Amended] 2. Amend § 23.15(c)(3)(i), the first entry in the table, by removing the words ‘‘250 gm’’ in the Quantity column and by adding in their place the words ‘‘125 gm.’’ I 3. Amend § 23.71(d) by removing paragraph (d)(4) and revising paragraphs (d)(1), (d)(2), and (d)(3) to read as follows: I § 23.71 How can I trade internationally in sturgeon caviar? * PO 00000 * Frm 00048 * * Fmt 4700 * Sfmt 4700 (d) * * * (1) The relevant countries have established annual export quotas for the shared stocks that were derived from catch quotas agreed among the countries. The quotas are based on an appropriate regional conservation strategy and monitoring regime and are not detrimental to the survival of the species in the wild. (2) The quotas have been communicated to the CITES Secretariat and the Secretariat has communicated the annual export quotas to CITES Parties. (3) The caviar is exported during the quota year (March 1 – last day of February) in which it was harvested and processed. * * * * * Dated: June 5, 2008 David M. Verhey Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks [FR Doc. E8–16195 Filed 7–16–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 648 [Docket No. 070717340–8451–02] RIN 0648–XJ06 Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries; Closure of the Trimester II Fishery for Loligo Squid National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. AGENCY: SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the directed fishery for Loligo squid in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) will be closed effective 0001 hours, July 17, 2008. Vessels issued a Federal permit to harvest Loligo squid may not retain or land more than 2,500 lb (1,134 kg) of Loligo squid per trip for the remainder of the trimester (through August 31, 2008). This action is necessary to prevent the fishery from exceeding its Trimester II quota and to allow for effective management of this stock. DATES: Effective 0001 hours, July 17, 2008, through 2400 hours, August 31, 2008. Don Frei, Fishery Management Specialist, 978–281–9221, Fax 978–281–9135. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: E:\FR\FM\17JYR1.SGM 17JYR1 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 138 / Thursday, July 17, 2008 / Rules and Regulations SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations governing the Loligo squid fishery are found at 50 CFR part 648. The regulations require specifications for maximum sustainable yield, initial optimum yield, allowable biological catch, domestic annual harvest (DAH), domestic annual processing, joint venture processing, and total allowable levels of foreign fishing for the species managed under the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan. The procedures for setting the annual initial specifications are described in § 648.21. The 2008 specification of DAH for Loligo squid was set at 16,977 mt (73 FR 18443, April 4, 2008). This amount is allocated by trimester, as shown below. TABLE 1. Loligo SQUID TRIMESTER ALLOCATIONS. Quarter rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with RULES I (Jan–Apr) II (May–Aug) III (Sep–Dec) VerDate Aug<31>2005 Percent 43 17 40. Metric Tons 1 Research Set-aside (mt) 7,300 2,886 6,791 N/A N/A N/A 18:28 Jul 16, 2008 Jkt 214001 TABLE 1. Loligo SQUID TRIMESTER ALLOCATIONS.—Continued Quarter Total Percent 100 Metric Tons 1 Research Set-aside (mt) 16,997 23 1 Trimester allocations after 23–mt research set-aside deduction. Section 648.22 requires NMFS to close the directed Loligo squid fishery in the EEZ when 90 percent of the trimester allocation is harvested in Trimesters I and II, and when 95 percent of the total annual DAH has been harvested in Trimester III. NMFS is further required to notify, in advance of the closure, the Executive Directors of the Mid-Atlantic, New England, and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils; mail notification of the closure to all holders of Loligo squid permits at least 72 hR before the effective date of the closure; provide adequate notice of the closure to recreational participants in the fishery; and publish notification of the closure in the Federal Register. The PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 40987 Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, based on dealer reports and other available information, has determined that 90 percent of the DAH for Loligo squid in Trimester II will be harvested. Therefore, effective 0001 hours, July 17, 2008, the directed fishery for Loligo squid is closed and vessels issued Federal permits for Loligo squid may not retain or land more than 2,500 lb (1,134 kg) of Loligo during a calendar day. The directed fishery will reopen effective 0001 hours, September 1, 2008, when the Trimester III quota becomes available. Classification This action is required by 50 CFR part 648 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: July 11, 2008. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 08–1440 Filed 7–14–08; 2:00 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S E:\FR\FM\17JYR1.SGM 17JYR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 138 (Thursday, July 17, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40986-40987]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 08-1440]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No. 070717340-8451-02]
RIN 0648-XJ06


Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Mackerel, 
Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries; Closure of the Trimester II Fishery 
for Loligo Squid

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the directed fishery for Loligo squid in 
the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) will be closed effective 0001 hours, 
July 17, 2008. Vessels issued a Federal permit to harvest Loligo squid 
may not retain or land more than 2,500 lb (1,134 kg) of Loligo squid 
per trip for the remainder of the trimester (through August 31, 2008). 
This action is necessary to prevent the fishery from exceeding its 
Trimester II quota and to allow for effective management of this stock.

DATES: Effective 0001 hours, July 17, 2008, through 2400 hours, August 
31, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Don Frei, Fishery Management 
Specialist, 978-281-9221, Fax 978-281-9135.

[[Page 40987]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations governing the Loligo squid 
fishery are found at 50 CFR part 648. The regulations require 
specifications for maximum sustainable yield, initial optimum yield, 
allowable biological catch, domestic annual harvest (DAH), domestic 
annual processing, joint venture processing, and total allowable levels 
of foreign fishing for the species managed under the Atlantic Mackerel, 
Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan. The procedures for 
setting the annual initial specifications are described in Sec.  
648.21.
    The 2008 specification of DAH for Loligo squid was set at 16,977 mt 
(73 FR 18443, April 4, 2008). This amount is allocated by trimester, as 
shown below.

              Table 1. Loligo Squid Trimester Allocations.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Metric    Research Set-
             Quarter                 Percent     Tons \1\    aside (mt)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
I (Jan-Apr)                        43           7,300       N/A
II (May-Aug)                       17           2,886       N/A
III (Sep-Dec)                      40.          6,791       N/A
Total                              100          16,997      23
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Trimester allocations after 23-mt research set-aside deduction.

    Section 648.22 requires NMFS to close the directed Loligo squid 
fishery in the EEZ when 90 percent of the trimester allocation is 
harvested in Trimesters I and II, and when 95 percent of the total 
annual DAH has been harvested in Trimester III. NMFS is further 
required to notify, in advance of the closure, the Executive Directors 
of the Mid-Atlantic, New England, and South Atlantic Fishery Management 
Councils; mail notification of the closure to all holders of Loligo 
squid permits at least 72 hR before the effective date of the closure; 
provide adequate notice of the closure to recreational participants in 
the fishery; and publish notification of the closure in the Federal 
Register. The Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, based on dealer 
reports and other available information, has determined that 90 percent 
of the DAH for Loligo squid in Trimester II will be harvested. 
Therefore, effective 0001 hours, July 17, 2008, the directed fishery 
for Loligo squid is closed and vessels issued Federal permits for 
Loligo squid may not retain or land more than 2,500 lb (1,134 kg) of 
Loligo during a calendar day. The directed fishery will reopen 
effective 0001 hours, September 1, 2008, when the Trimester III quota 
becomes available.

Classification

    This action is required by 50 CFR part 648 and is exempt from 
review under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: July 11, 2008.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 08-1440 Filed 7-14-08; 2:00 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S

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