Main Hawaiian Islands Deep 7 Bottomfish Annual Catch Limits and Accountability Measures for 2013-14, 59626-59627 [2013-23675]

Download as PDF 59626 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 188 / Friday, September 27, 2013 / Rules and Regulations of the change in operating schedule for the bridge so that vessels can arrange their transits to minimize any impact caused by the temporary deviation. In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the drawbridge must return to its regular operating schedule immediately at the end of the effective period of this temporary deviation. This deviation from the operating regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35. Dated: September 16, 2013. David M. Frank, Bridge Administrator. [FR Doc. 2013–23525 Filed 9–26–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9110–04–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 648 [Docket No. 111220786–1781–01] RIN 0648–XC878 Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Summer Flounder Fishery; Commercial Quota Harvested for the State of New York National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. AGENCY: NMFS announces that the 2013 summer flounder commercial quota allocated to the State of New York has been harvested. Vessels issued a commercial Federal fisheries permit for the summer flounder fishery may not land summer flounder in New York for the remainder of calendar year 2013, unless additional quota becomes available through a transfer from another state. Regulations governing the summer flounder fishery require publication of this notification to advise New York that the quota has been harvested and to advise vessel permit holders and dealer permit holders that no Federal commercial quota is available for landing summer flounder in New York. DATES: Effective October 1, 2013, through December 31, 2013. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carly Bari, (978) 281–9224, or Carly.Bari@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations governing the summer flounder fishery are found at 50 CFR part 648. The regulations require annual specification of a commercial quota that pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with RULES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 13:44 Sep 26, 2013 Jkt 229001 is apportioned on a percentage basis among the coastal states from North Carolina through Maine. The process to set the annual commercial quota and the percent allocated to each state is described in § 648.102. The initial total commercial quota for summer flounder for the 2013 fishing year is 11,793,596 lb (5,349,575 kg) (77 FR 76942, December 31, 2012). The percent allocated to vessels landing summer flounder in New York is 7.64699 percent, resulting in a commercial quota of 901,855 lb (409,081 kg). The 2013 allocation was adjusted to 842,605 lb (382,206 kg) after deduction of research set-aside and adjustment for prior years’ quota overages. The Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), monitors the state commercial landings and determines when a state’s commercial quota has been harvested. NMFS is required to publish notification in the Federal Register advising and notifying commercial vessels and dealer permit holders that, effective upon a specific date, the state’s commercial quota has been harvested and no commercial quota is available for landing summer flounder in that state. The Regional Administrator has determined, based upon dealer reports and other available information that, New York has harvested its quota for 2013. Section 648.4(b) provides that Federal permit holders agree, as a condition of the permit, not to land summer flounder in any state that the Regional Administrator has determined no longer has commercial quota available. Therefore, effective 0001 hours, October 1, 2013, landings of summer flounder in New York by vessels holding summer flounder commercial Federal fisheries permits are prohibited for the remainder of the 2013 calendar year, unless additional quota becomes available through a transfer and is announced in the Federal Register. Effective 0001 hours, October 1, 2013, federally permitted dealers are also notified that they may not purchase summer flounder from federally permitted vessels that land in New York for the remainder of the calendar year, or until additional quota becomes available through a transfer from another state. Classification This action is required by 50 CFR part 648 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (AA), finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) to waive prior notice and the opportunity for public comment because it would be PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 contrary to the public interest. This action closes the summer flounder fishery for New York until January 1, 2014, under current regulations. The regulations at § 648.103(b) require such action to ensure that summer flounder vessels do not exceed state quotas. If implementation of this closure was delayed to solicit prior public comment, the quota for this fishing year will be exceeded, thereby undermining the conservation objectives of the Summer Flounder Fishery Management Plan. The AA further finds, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), good cause to waive the thirty (30) day delayed effectiveness period for the reason stated above. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: September 24, 2013. Kelly Denit, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2013–23566 Filed 9–26–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 665 [Docket No. 130625564–3821–02] RIN 0648–XC736 Main Hawaiian Islands Deep 7 Bottomfish Annual Catch Limits and Accountability Measures for 2013–14 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Final specifications. AGENCY: NMFS specifies an annual catch limit of 346,000 lb of Deep 7 bottomfish in the main Hawaiian Islands for the 2013–14 fishing year. The action supports the long-term sustainability of Hawaii bottomfish. DATES: The final specifications are effective October 28, 2013, through August 31, 2014, unless NMFS publishes a document in the Federal Register superseding these specifications. SUMMARY: Copies of the Fishery Ecosystem Plan for the Hawaiian Archipelago are available from the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council), 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813, tel 808–522–8220, or www.wpcouncil.org. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jarad Makaiau, Sustainable Fisheries, ADDRESSES: E:\FR\FM\27SER1.SGM 27SER1 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 188 / Friday, September 27, 2013 / Rules and Regulations pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with RULES NMFS Pacific Islands Region (PIR), 808– 944–2108. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 22, 2013, NMFS published proposed specifications, finalized here, and a request for public comments (78 FR 52125). Additional background information on this action is found in the preamble to the proposed specifications, and is not repeated here. Through this action, NMFS is specifying an annual catch limit (ACL) of 346,000 lb of Deep 7 bottomfish in the main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) for the 2013–14 fishing year. This ACL is the same as was set for the 2012–13 fishing year. The MHI Management Subarea is the portion of U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone around the Hawaiian Archipelago lying to the east of 161° 20″ W. longitude. The Deep 7 bottomfish are onaga (Etelis coruscans), ehu (E. carbunculus), gindai (Pristipomoides zonatus), kalekale (P. sieboldii), opakapaka (P. filamentosus), lehi (Aphareus rutilans), and hapuupuu (Epinephelus quernus). The Council recommended the ACL based on the best available scientific, commercial, and other information, taking into account the associated risk of overfishing. The MHI bottomfish fishing year started September 1, 2013. NMFS will monitor the fishery, and if the ACL is reached before August 31, 2014, NMFS will, as an associated accountability VerDate Mar<15>2010 13:44 Sep 26, 2013 Jkt 229001 measure (AM) close the non-commercial and commercial fisheries for Deep 7 bottomfish in Federal waters through August 31, 2014. During a fishery closure for Deep 7 bottomfish, no person may fish for, possess, or sell any of these fish in the MHI. There is no prohibition on fishing for or selling other non-Deep 7 bottomfish species throughout the year. All other management measures continue to apply in the MHI bottomfish fishery. Comments and Responses The comment period for the proposed specifications ended on September 6, 2013. NMFS received one public comment and responds as follows: Comment 1: The commenter supports the ACL and associated AM, but questioned why the comment period for the proposed specifications ended after the start of the fishing year. Response: The time that NMFS needed to complete supporting analyses for this action resulted in the delayed comment period. Because NMFS does not expect the fishery to reach the ACL until very late in the fishing year, if at all, the timing of the comment period and resulting effective date of the final specifications do not affect management of the fishery. Changes From the Proposed Specifications There are no changes in the final specifications. PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 59627 Classification The Regional Administrator, NMFS PIR, determined that this action is necessary for the conservation and management of MHI Deep 7 bottomfish, and that it is consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and other applicable laws. 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 specification stage that this action would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. NMFS published the factual basis for certification in the proposed specifications, and does not repeat it here. NMFS did not receive comments regarding this certification. As a result, a final regulatory flexibility analysis is not required, and none was prepared. This action is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: September 23, 2013. Alan D. Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, performing the functions and duties of the Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2013–23675 Filed 9–26–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P E:\FR\FM\27SER1.SGM 27SER1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 188 (Friday, September 27, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59626-59627]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-23675]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 665

[Docket No. 130625564-3821-02]
RIN 0648-XC736


Main Hawaiian Islands Deep 7 Bottomfish Annual Catch Limits and 
Accountability Measures for 2013-14

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

ACTION: Final specifications.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS specifies an annual catch limit of 346,000 lb of Deep 7 
bottomfish in the main Hawaiian Islands for the 2013-14 fishing year. 
The action supports the long-term sustainability of Hawaii bottomfish.

DATES: The final specifications are effective October 28, 2013, through 
August 31, 2014, unless NMFS publishes a document in the Federal 
Register superseding these specifications.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Fishery Ecosystem Plan for the Hawaiian 
Archipelago are available from the Western Pacific Fishery Management 
Council (Council), 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813, tel 
808-522-8220, or www.wpcouncil.org.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jarad Makaiau, Sustainable Fisheries,

[[Page 59627]]

NMFS Pacific Islands Region (PIR), 808-944-2108.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 22, 2013, NMFS published proposed 
specifications, finalized here, and a request for public comments (78 
FR 52125). Additional background information on this action is found in 
the preamble to the proposed specifications, and is not repeated here.
    Through this action, NMFS is specifying an annual catch limit (ACL) 
of 346,000 lb of Deep 7 bottomfish in the main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) 
for the 2013-14 fishing year. This ACL is the same as was set for the 
2012-13 fishing year. The MHI Management Subarea is the portion of U.S. 
Exclusive Economic Zone around the Hawaiian Archipelago lying to the 
east of 161[deg] 20'' W. longitude. The Deep 7 bottomfish are onaga 
(Etelis coruscans), ehu (E. carbunculus), gindai (Pristipomoides 
zonatus), kalekale (P. sieboldii), opakapaka (P. filamentosus), lehi 
(Aphareus rutilans), and hapuupuu (Epinephelus quernus). The Council 
recommended the ACL based on the best available scientific, commercial, 
and other information, taking into account the associated risk of 
overfishing.
    The MHI bottomfish fishing year started September 1, 2013. NMFS 
will monitor the fishery, and if the ACL is reached before August 31, 
2014, NMFS will, as an associated accountability measure (AM) close the 
non-commercial and commercial fisheries for Deep 7 bottomfish in 
Federal waters through August 31, 2014. During a fishery closure for 
Deep 7 bottomfish, no person may fish for, possess, or sell any of 
these fish in the MHI. There is no prohibition on fishing for or 
selling other non-Deep 7 bottomfish species throughout the year. All 
other management measures continue to apply in the MHI bottomfish 
fishery.

Comments and Responses

    The comment period for the proposed specifications ended on 
September 6, 2013. NMFS received one public comment and responds as 
follows:
    Comment 1: The commenter supports the ACL and associated AM, but 
questioned why the comment period for the proposed specifications ended 
after the start of the fishing year.
    Response: The time that NMFS needed to complete supporting analyses 
for this action resulted in the delayed comment period. Because NMFS 
does not expect the fishery to reach the ACL until very late in the 
fishing year, if at all, the timing of the comment period and resulting 
effective date of the final specifications do not affect management of 
the fishery.

Changes From the Proposed Specifications

    There are no changes in the final specifications.

Classification

    The Regional Administrator, NMFS PIR, determined that this action 
is necessary for the conservation and management of MHI Deep 7 
bottomfish, and that it is consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act and other applicable laws.
    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 specification stage that this action 
would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities. NMFS published the factual basis for certification in 
the proposed specifications, and does not repeat it here. NMFS did not 
receive comments regarding this certification. As a result, a final 
regulatory flexibility analysis is not required, and none was prepared.
    This action is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: September 23, 2013.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, performing the functions and 
duties of the Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-23675 Filed 9-26-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.