Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic; Closure, 5623-5624 [E9-2017]

Download as PDF erowe on PROD1PC63 with RULES Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 19 / Friday, January 30, 2009 / Rules and Regulations mortality of endangered right whales. The regulations establishing the DAM program are designed to enable the agency to help protect unexpected concentrations of right whales. In order to meet the goals of the DAM program, the agency needs to be able to create a DAM zone and implement restrictions on fishing gear as soon as possible once the criteria are triggered and NMFS determines that a DAM restricted zone is appropriate. If NMFS were to provide prior notice and an opportunity for public comment upon the creation of a DAM restricted zone, the aggregated right whales would be vulnerable to entanglement which could result in serious injury and mortality. Additionally, the right whales would most likely move on to another location before NMFS could implement the restrictions designed to protect them, thereby rendering the action obsolete. Therefore, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), the AA finds that good cause exists to waive prior notice and an opportunity to comment on this action to implement a DAM restricted zone to reduce the risk of entanglement of endangered right whales in commercial lobster trap/pot and anchored gillnet gear as such procedures would be impracticable. For the same reasons, the AA finds that, under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), good cause exists to waive the 30-day delay in effective date. If NMFS were to delay for 30 days the effective date of this action, the aggregated right whales would be vulnerable to entanglement, which could cause serious injury and mortality. Additionally, right whales would likely move to another location between the time NMFS approved the action creating the DAM restricted zone and the time it went into effect, thereby rendering the action obsolete and ineffective. Nevertheless, NMFS recognizes the need for fishermen to have time to either modify or remove (if not in compliance with the required restrictions) their gear from a DAM zone once one is approved. Thus, NMFS makes this action effective 2 days after the date of publication of this document in the Federal Register. NMFS will also endeavor to provide notice of this action to fishermen through other means upon issuance of the rule by the AA, thereby providing approximately 3 additional days of notice while the Office of the Federal Register processes the document for publication. NMFS determined that the regulations establishing the DAM program and actions such as this one taken pursuant to those regulations are consistent to the maximum extent practicable with the enforceable policies of the approved VerDate Nov<24>2008 14:40 Jan 29, 2009 Jkt 217001 coastal management program of the U.S. Atlantic coastal states. This determination was submitted for review by the responsible state agencies under section 307 of the Coastal Zone Management Act. Following state review of the regulations creating the DAM program, no state disagreed with NMFS’ conclusion that the DAM program is consistent to the maximum extent practicable with the enforceable policies of the approved coastal management program for that state. The DAM program under which NMFS is taking this action contains policies with federalism implications warranting preparation of a federalism assessment under Executive Order 13132. Accordingly, in October 2001 and March 2003, the Assistant Secretary for Intergovernmental and Legislative Affairs, Department of Commerce, provided notice of the DAM program and its amendments to the appropriate elected officials in states to be affected by actions taken pursuant to the DAM program. Federalism issues raised by state officials were addressed in the final rules implementing the DAM program. A copy of the federalism Summary Impact Statement for the final rules is available upon request (ADDRESSES). The rule implementing the DAM program has been determined to be not significant under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq. and 50 CFR 229.32(g)(3). Dated: January 15, 2009. James W. Balsiger, Acting Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E9–2018 Filed 1–27–09; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 622 [Docket No. 001005281–0369–02] RIN 0648–XM85 Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic; Closure AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 5623 SUMMARY: NMFS closes the commercial run-around gillnet fishery for king mackerel in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the southern Florida west coast subzone. This closure is necessary to protect the Gulf king mackerel resource. DATES: The closure is effective 6 a.m., local time, January 30, 2009, through 6 a.m., January 19, 2010. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Gerhart, telephone: 727–824– 5305, fax: 727–824–5308, e-mail: Susan.Gerhart@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The fishery for coastal migratory pelagic fish (king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, cero, cobia, little tunny, and, in the Gulf of Mexico only, dolphin and bluefish) is managed under the Fishery Management Plan for the Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic (FMP). The FMP was prepared by the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils (Councils) and is implemented under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) by regulations at 50 CFR part 622. Based on the Councils’ recommended total allowable catch and the allocation ratios in the FMP, on April 30, 2001 (66 FR 17368, March 30, 2001), NMFS implemented a commercial quota of 2.25 million lb (1.02 million kg) for the eastern zone (Florida) of the Gulf migratory group of king mackerel. That quota is further divided into separate quotas for the Florida east coast subzone and the northern and southern Florida west coast subzones. On April 27, 2000, NMFS implemented the final rule (65 FR 16336, March 28, 2000) that divided the Florida west coast subzone of the eastern zone into northern and southern subzones, and established their separate quotas. The quota implemented for the southern Florida west coast subzone is 1,040,625 lb (472,020 kg). That quota is further divided into two equal quotas of 520,312 lb (236,010 kg) for vessels in each of two groups fishing with runaround gillnets and hook-and-line gear (50 CFR 622.42(c)(1)(i)(A)(2)(i)). The southern subzone is that part of the Florida west coast subzone, which from November 1 through March 31, extends south and west from 26°19.8′ N. lat. (a line directly west from the Lee/ Collier County, FL, boundary) to 25°20.4′ N. lat. (a line directly east from the Monroe/Miami-Dade County, FL, boundary), i.e., the area off Collier and Monroe Counties. From April 1 through October 31, the southern subzone is that part of the Florida west coast subzone E:\FR\FM\30JAR1.SGM 30JAR1 5624 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 19 / Friday, January 30, 2009 / Rules and Regulations which is between 26°19.8′ N. lat. (a line directly west from the Lee/Collier County, FL, boundary) and 25°48′ N. lat. (a line directly west from the Collier/ Monroe County, FL, boundary), i.e., the area off Collier County (50 CFR 622.42(c)(1)(i)(A)(3)). Under 50 CFR 622.43(a)(3), NMFS is required to close any segment of the king mackerel commercial fishery when its quota has been reached, or is projected to be reached, by filing a notification at the Office of the Federal Register. NMFS has determined that the commercial quota of 520,312 lb (236,010 kg) for Gulf group king mackerel for vessels using run-around gillnet gear in the southern Florida west coast subzone was reached on January 29, 2009. Accordingly, the commercial fishery for king mackerel for such vessels in the southern Florida west coast subzone is closed at 6 a.m., local time, January 30, 2009, through 6 a.m., January 19, 2010, the beginning of the next fishing season, i.e., the day after the 2010 Martin Luther King Jr. Federal holiday. erowe on PROD1PC63 with RULES Classification This action responds to the best available information recently obtained from the fisheries. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, finds that the need to immediately implement this action to close the fishery constitutes good cause to waive the requirements to provide prior notice and opportunity for 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 would be unnecessary because the rule itself already has been subject to notice and comment, and all that remains is to notify the public of the closure. NMFS also finds good cause that the implementation of this action cannot be delayed for 30 days. There is a need to implement this measure in a timely fashion to prevent a quota overrun of the commercial run-around gillnet fishery for king mackerel in the southern Florida west coast subzone, given the capacity of the fishing fleet to harvest the quota quickly. Any delay in implementing this action would be contrary to the Magnuson-Stevens Act and the FMP. Accordingly, under 5 U.S.C. 553(d), a delay in the effective date is waived. This action is taken under 50 CFR 622.43(a) and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. VerDate Nov<24>2008 14:40 Jan 29, 2009 Jkt 217001 Dated: January 27, 2009. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E9–2017 Filed 1–27–09; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 071106673–8011–02] RIN 0648–XM83 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Vessels Participating in the Amendment 80 Limited Access Fishery in Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. SUMMARY: NMFS is closing directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels participating in the Amendment 80 limited access fishery in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2009 halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl Pacific cod fishery category by vessels participating in the Amendment 80 limited access fishery in the BSAI. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 20, 2009, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2009. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 907–586–7228. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the BSAI according to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (FMP) prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council under authority of the Magnuson–Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Regulations governing fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. The 2009 halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl Pacific cod fishery category by vessels participating in the Amendment 80 limited access fishery for the Pacific cod fishery category in the BSAI is 1 metric ton as established by the 2008 and 2009 final harvest specifications for groundfish in PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 the BSAI (73 FR 10160, February 26, 2008) and as posted as the 2009 Allocations at https:// alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/ sustainablefisheries/amds/80/ 2009allocationtables.pdf. In accordance with § 679.21(e)(3)(vi)(B) and § 679.21(e)(7)(v), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that the 2009 halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl Pacific cod fishery category by vessels participating in the Amendment 80 limited access fishery in the BSAI will be caught. Consequently, NMFS is closing directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels participating in the Amendment 80 limited access fishery in the BSAI. After the effective date of this closure the maximum retainable amounts at § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a trip. Classification This action responds to the best available information recently obtained from the fishery. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (AA), finds good cause to waive the requirement to provide prior notice and opportunity for public comment pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is impracticable and contrary to the public interest. This requirement is impracticable and contrary to the public interest as it would prevent NMFS from responding to the most recent fisheries data in a timely fashion and would delay the closure of directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels participating in the Amendment 80 limited access fishery in the BSAI. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of January 8, 2009. The AA also finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in the effective date of this action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon the reasons provided above for waiver of prior notice and opportunity for public comment. This action is required by § 679.21 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: January 16, 2009. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E9–2023 Filed 1–27–09; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S E:\FR\FM\30JAR1.SGM 30JAR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 19 (Friday, January 30, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5623-5624]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-2017]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 001005281-0369-02]
RIN 0648-XM85


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South 
Atlantic; Closure

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS closes the commercial run-around gillnet fishery for king 
mackerel in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the southern Florida 
west coast subzone. This closure is necessary to protect the Gulf king 
mackerel resource.

DATES: The closure is effective 6 a.m., local time, January 30, 2009, 
through 6 a.m., January 19, 2010.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Gerhart, telephone: 727-824-
5305, fax: 727-824-5308, e-mail: Susan.Gerhart@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The fishery for coastal migratory pelagic 
fish (king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, cero, cobia, little tunny, and, 
in the Gulf of Mexico only, dolphin and bluefish) is managed under the 
Fishery Management Plan for the Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of 
the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic (FMP). The FMP was prepared by 
the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils 
(Councils) and is implemented under the authority of the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) 
by regulations at 50 CFR part 622.
    Based on the Councils' recommended total allowable catch and the 
allocation ratios in the FMP, on April 30, 2001 (66 FR 17368, March 30, 
2001), NMFS implemented a commercial quota of 2.25 million lb (1.02 
million kg) for the eastern zone (Florida) of the Gulf migratory group 
of king mackerel. That quota is further divided into separate quotas 
for the Florida east coast subzone and the northern and southern 
Florida west coast subzones. On April 27, 2000, NMFS implemented the 
final rule (65 FR 16336, March 28, 2000) that divided the Florida west 
coast subzone of the eastern zone into northern and southern subzones, 
and established their separate quotas. The quota implemented for the 
southern Florida west coast subzone is 1,040,625 lb (472,020 kg). That 
quota is further divided into two equal quotas of 520,312 lb (236,010 
kg) for vessels in each of two groups fishing with run-around gillnets 
and hook-and-line gear (50 CFR 622.42(c)(1)(i)(A)(2)(i)).
    The southern subzone is that part of the Florida west coast 
subzone, which from November 1 through March 31, extends south and west 
from 26[deg]19.8' N. lat. (a line directly west from the Lee/Collier 
County, FL, boundary) to 25[deg]20.4' N. lat. (a line directly east 
from the Monroe/Miami-Dade County, FL, boundary), i.e., the area off 
Collier and Monroe Counties. From April 1 through October 31, the 
southern subzone is that part of the Florida west coast subzone

[[Page 5624]]

which is between 26[deg]19.8' N. lat. (a line directly west from the 
Lee/Collier County, FL, boundary) and 25[deg]48' N. lat. (a line 
directly west from the Collier/Monroe County, FL, boundary), i.e., the 
area off Collier County (50 CFR 622.42(c)(1)(i)(A)(3)).
    Under 50 CFR 622.43(a)(3), NMFS is required to close any segment of 
the king mackerel commercial fishery when its quota has been reached, 
or is projected to be reached, by filing a notification at the Office 
of the Federal Register. NMFS has determined that the commercial quota 
of 520,312 lb (236,010 kg) for Gulf group king mackerel for vessels 
using run-around gillnet gear in the southern Florida west coast 
subzone was reached on January 29, 2009. Accordingly, the commercial 
fishery for king mackerel for such vessels in the southern Florida west 
coast subzone is closed at 6 a.m., local time, January 30, 2009, 
through 6 a.m., January 19, 2010, the beginning of the next fishing 
season, i.e., the day after the 2010 Martin Luther King Jr. Federal 
holiday.

Classification

    This action responds to the best available information recently 
obtained from the fisheries. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, 
NOAA, finds that the need to immediately implement this action to close 
the fishery constitutes good cause to waive the requirements to provide 
prior notice and opportunity for 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 would 
be unnecessary because the rule itself already has been subject to 
notice and comment, and all that remains is to notify the public of the 
closure.
    NMFS also finds good cause that the implementation of this action 
cannot be delayed for 30 days. There is a need to implement this 
measure in a timely fashion to prevent a quota overrun of the 
commercial run-around gillnet fishery for king mackerel in the southern 
Florida west coast subzone, given the capacity of the fishing fleet to 
harvest the quota quickly. Any delay in implementing this action would 
be contrary to the Magnuson-Stevens Act and the FMP. Accordingly, under 
5 U.S.C. 553(d), a delay in the effective date is waived.
    This action is taken under 50 CFR 622.43(a) and is exempt from 
review under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: January 27, 2009.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E9-2017 Filed 1-27-09; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
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