Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries; Butterfish Trip Limit Reduction, 15046-15047 [2014-05920]

Download as PDF 15046 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 52 / Tuesday, March 18, 2014 / Rules and Regulations (i) For inner packagings containing liquids the volume does not exceed 8 fluid ounces in capacity; (ii) Solids containing ethyl alcohol are not packed in inner packagings exceeding 1⁄2 pound in weight; (iii) The net liquid contents of all inner packagings in any single outer packaging may not exceed 192 fluid ounces. The net solid contents of all inner packagings in any single outer packaging may not exceed 32 pounds. The gross weight of any single outer package shipped may not exceed 65 pounds. Inner packagings must be secured and cushioned within the outer package to prevent breakage, leakage, and movement. (3) For transportation by passenger or cargo aircraft, no outer package may be transported which contains an inner packaging exceeding: (i) 16 fluid ounces of flammable liquid, or (ii) 1 pound of solids containing flammable liquid. PART 175—CARRIAGE BY AIRCRAFT destination that does not receive cargo only service once a week. PART 178—SPECIFICATIONS FOR PACKAGINGS 12. The authority citation for part 178 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 49 U.S.C. 5101–5128; 49 CFR 1.53. 13. In 178.516, paragraph (b)(7) is added to read as follows: ■ § 178.516 * * * * (b) * * * (7) Authorization to manufacture, mark, and sell UN4G combination packagings with outer fiberboard boxes and with inner fiberboard components that have individual containerboard or paper wall basis weights that vary by not more than plus or minus 5% from the nominal basis weight reported in the initial design qualification test report. ■ 14. In 178.521, paragraph (b)(4) is added to read as follows: § 178.521 10. The authority citation for part 175 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 49 U.S.C. 5101–5128, 44701; 49 CFR 1.45 and 1.53 ■ 11. Add § 175.34 to read as follows: sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with RULES § 175.34 Exceptions for Cylinders of Compressed Oxygen or Other Oxidizing Gases Transported Within the State of Alaska. (a) Exceptions. When transported in the State of Alaska, cylinders of compressed oxygen or other oxidizing gases aboard aircraft are excepted from all the requirements of §§ 173.302(f)(3) through (5) and 173.304(f)(3) through (5) of this subchapter subject to the following conditions: (1) Transportation of the cylinders by a ground-based or water-based mode of transportation is unavailable and transportation by aircraft is the only practical means for transporting the cylinders to their destination; (2) Each cylinder is fully covered with a fire or flame resistant blanket that is secured in place; and (3) The operator of the aircraft complies with the applicable notification procedures under § 175.33. (b) Aircraft restrictions. This exception only applies to the following types of aircraft: (1) Cargo-only aircraft transporting the cylinders to a delivery destination that receives cargo-only service at least once a week. (2) Passenger and cargo-only aircraft transporting the cylinders to a delivery VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:18 Mar 17, 2014 Jkt 232001 Standards for fiberboard boxes. * Standards for paper bags. * * * * * (b) * * * (4) UN5M1 and UN5M2 multi wall paper bags that have paper wall basis weights that vary by not more than plus or minus 5% from the nominal basis weight reported in the initial design qualification test report. Issued in Washington, DC on March 10, 2014 under authority delegated in 49 CFR 1.97. Cynthia L. Quarterman, Administrator, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. [FR Doc. 2014–05630 Filed 3–17–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–60–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 648 [Docket No. 120731291–2522–02] RIN 0648–XD167 Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries; Butterfish Trip Limit Reduction National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason action. AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00070 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 NMFS announces that the butterfish trip limit for longfin squid/ butterfish moratorium permit holders will be reduced to no more than 5,000 lb (2.27 mt), effective 0001 hours, March 18, 2014. Vessels issued a Federal longfin squid/butterfish moratorium permit and using greater than 3-inch (76-mm) mesh may not fish for, catch, possess or land more than 5,000 lb (2.27 mt) of butterfish per trip or calendar day for the remainder of the year (through December 31, 2014). The possession limit remains unchanged at 2,500-lb (1.13 mt) per trip or calendar day for vessels issued a Federal longfin squid/ butterfish moratorium permit and fishing with less than 3-inch (76-mm). The incidental possession limit also remains unchanged at 600 lb (0.27 mt). Federally permitted dealers also may not purchase more than 5,000 lb (2.27 mt) of butterfish from federally permitted vessels per trip or per day, through December 31, 2014. This action is necessary to prevent the fishery from exceeding the domestic annual harvest (DAH) of 2,570 mt, and to allow for effective management of this stock. DATES: Effective 0001 hours, March 18, 2014, through 2400 hours, December 31, 2014. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Aja Szumylo, Fishery Policy Analyst, 978– 281–9195, Fax 978–281–9135. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations at 50 CFR part 648 govern the butterfish fishery. The regulations require specifications for maximum sustainable yield, initial optimum yield, allowable biological catch, annual catch limit (ACL), domestic annual harvest (DAH), domestic annual processing (DAP), joint venture processing, and total allowable levels of foreign fishing for the species managed under the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish (MSB) Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The procedures for setting the annual initial specifications are described in § 648.22. The 2013 MSB specifications set the 2013 butterfish DAH at 2,570 mt (77 FR 3346, January 16, 2013). The regulations at § 648.22(d) state that, if annual specifications for the MSB fisheries are not published in the Federal Register prior to the start of the fishing year (January 1), the previous year’s annual specifications, will remain in effect. A proposed rule for 2014 MSB specifications and management measures was published on January 10, 2014 (79 FR 1813), and the public comment period for the proposed rule ended on February 10, 2014. A final rule is expected shortly, after which the 2014 specifications will go into effect and supersede the 2013 specifications. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\18MRR1.SGM 18MRR1 sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with RULES Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 52 / Tuesday, March 18, 2014 / Rules and Regulations Due to the increase in the butterfish DAH from previous years, the 2013 MSB specifications implemented a 3-phase butterfish management system to allow for maximum utilization of the butterfish resource without exceeding the stock-wide ACL. In phase 1, there is no trip limit for vessels issued longfin squid/butterfish moratorium permits using mesh greater than or equal to 3 inches (76 mm), a 2,500-lb (1.13-mt) trip limit for longfin squid/butterfish moratorium permits using mesh less than 3 inches (76 mm), and a trip limit of 600 lb (0.27 mt) for vessels issued squid/butterfish incidental catch permits. Once butterfish harvest reaches the trip hold reduction threshold to move from phase 1 to phase 2, the trip limit for longfin squid/butterfish moratorium permit holders will be reduced while in phase 2 to 5,000 lb (2.27 mt) for vessels using greater than or equal to 3-inch (7.62 cm) mesh. The limit remains unchanged at 2,500-lb (1.13 mt) per trip or calendar day for vessels issued a Federal longfin squid/ butterfish moratorium permits and fishing with less than 3-inch (76-mm); and the incidental limit remains at 600 lb (0.27 mt). When we project butterfish harvest to reach the trip hold reduction thresholds to move from phase 2 to phase 3, the trip limit for all longfin squid/butterfish moratorium permit holders will be reduced while in phase 3 to 500 lb (0.23 mt) to avoid quota overages. For phases 2 and 3, the quota thresholds to reduce the trip limits will vary bimonthly throughout the year. Section 648.24 requires NMFS to reduce the butterfish trip limits for vessels issued longfin squid/butterfish moratorium permits when butterfish harvest reaches the trip limit reduction threshold to move from phase 1 to phase 2. When butterfish harvest reaches the trip limit reduction threshold to move from phase 1 to phase 2, vessels fishing with a minimum mesh size of 3 inches (76 mm) are prohibited from fishing for, catching, possessing, or landing more than 5,000 lb (2.27 mt) per trip or per day. Trip limits for vessels issued longfin squid/butterfish moratorium permits fishing with mesh less than 3 inches (76 mm) remain at 2,500 lb (1.13 mt) of butterfish per trip, and the incidental trip limit remains at 600 mt (0.27 lb). NMFS is further required to notify the Executive Directors of the Mid-Atlantic, New England, and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils; mail notification of the trip limit reduction to all holders of butterfish permits at least 72 hr before the effective date of the trip limit reduction; provide adequate notice of the trip limit reduction to recreational VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:18 Mar 17, 2014 Jkt 232001 participants in the fishery; and publish notification of the trip limit reduction in the Federal Register. The Administrator, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, based on dealer reports and other available information, has determined that butterfish harvest has reached the phase 2 trip limit reduction of 47 percent. Therefore, effective 0001 hours, March 18, 2014, the directed butterfish fishery is operating under phase 2, and vessels issued Federal longfin squid/butterfish moratorium permits may not fish for, catch, possess or land more than 5,000 lb (2.27 mt) of butterfish per trip or calendar day when fishing with mesh size greater than 3 inches (76 mm). Trip limits for vessels issued longfin squid/butterfish moratorium permits fishing with mesh less than 3 inches (76 mm) will remain at 2,500 lb (1.13 mt) of butterfish per trip and the incidental trip limit will remain at 600 lb (0.27 mt). If or when butterfish harvest is projected to reach the phase 3 trip limit reduction threshold specified for 2013, butterfish trip limits for longfin squid/butterfish moratorium permit holders will be reduced to 500 lb (0.23 mt), regardless of mesh size used, through a subsequent action in the Federal Register. 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 contrary to the public interest. This action reduces the butterfish trip limit for vessels issued longfin squid/ butterfish moratorium permits, under current regulations. The regulations at § 648.24 require such action to ensure that butterfish vessels do not exceed the 2013 DAH. Data indicating the butterfish fleet will have landed at least 50 percent of the 2013 DAH have only recently become available. If NMFS delays the implementation of this trip limit reduction in order to solicit prior public comment, butterfish harvest may continue to increase without sufficient effort control, thereby undermining the conservation objectives of the FMP. The AA further finds, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), good cause to waive the 30day delayed effectiveness period for the reasons stated above. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. PO 00000 Frm 00071 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 15047 Dated: March 13, 2014. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2014–05920 Filed 3–13–14; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 130925836–4174–02] RIN 0648–XD181 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. AGENCY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels using hook-and-line gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2014 Pacific cod total allowable catch apportioned to catcher vessels using hook-and-line gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA. DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 13, 2014, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., September 1, 2014. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 907–586–7228. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the GOA exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council under authority of the MagnusonStevens 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. Regulations governing sideboard protections for GOA groundfish fisheries appear at subpart B of 50 CFR part 680. The A season allowance of the 2014 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) apportioned to catcher vessels using hook-and-line gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA is 156 metric tons (mt), as established by the SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\18MRR1.SGM 18MRR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 52 (Tuesday, March 18, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15046-15047]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-05920]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No. 120731291-2522-02]
RIN 0648-XD167


Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Mackerel, 
Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries; Butterfish Trip Limit Reduction

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason action.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the butterfish trip limit for longfin 
squid/butterfish moratorium permit holders will be reduced to no more 
than 5,000 lb (2.27 mt), effective 0001 hours, March 18, 2014. Vessels 
issued a Federal longfin squid/butterfish moratorium permit and using 
greater than 3-inch (76-mm) mesh may not fish for, catch, possess or 
land more than 5,000 lb (2.27 mt) of butterfish per trip or calendar 
day for the remainder of the year (through December 31, 2014). The 
possession limit remains unchanged at 2,500-lb (1.13 mt) per trip or 
calendar day for vessels issued a Federal longfin squid/butterfish 
moratorium permit and fishing with less than 3-inch (76-mm). The 
incidental possession limit also remains unchanged at 600 lb (0.27 mt). 
Federally permitted dealers also may not purchase more than 5,000 lb 
(2.27 mt) of butterfish from federally permitted vessels per trip or 
per day, through December 31, 2014. This action is necessary to prevent 
the fishery from exceeding the domestic annual harvest (DAH) of 2,570 
mt, and to allow for effective management of this stock.

DATES: Effective 0001 hours, March 18, 2014, through 2400 hours, 
December 31, 2014.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Aja Szumylo, Fishery Policy Analyst, 
978-281-9195, Fax 978-281-9135.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations at 50 CFR part 648 govern the 
butterfish fishery. The regulations require specifications for maximum 
sustainable yield, initial optimum yield, allowable biological catch, 
annual catch limit (ACL), domestic annual harvest (DAH), domestic 
annual processing (DAP), joint venture processing, and total allowable 
levels of foreign fishing for the species managed under the Atlantic 
Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish (MSB) Fishery Management Plan (FMP). 
The procedures for setting the annual initial specifications are 
described in Sec.  648.22. The 2013 MSB specifications set the 2013 
butterfish DAH at 2,570 mt (77 FR 3346, January 16, 2013). The 
regulations at Sec.  648.22(d) state that, if annual specifications for 
the MSB fisheries are not published in the Federal Register prior to 
the start of the fishing year (January 1), the previous year's annual 
specifications, will remain in effect. A proposed rule for 2014 MSB 
specifications and management measures was published on January 10, 
2014 (79 FR 1813), and the public comment period for the proposed rule 
ended on February 10, 2014. A final rule is expected shortly, after 
which the 2014 specifications will go into effect and supersede the 
2013 specifications.

[[Page 15047]]

    Due to the increase in the butterfish DAH from previous years, the 
2013 MSB specifications implemented a 3-phase butterfish management 
system to allow for maximum utilization of the butterfish resource 
without exceeding the stock-wide ACL. In phase 1, there is no trip 
limit for vessels issued longfin squid/butterfish moratorium permits 
using mesh greater than or equal to 3 inches (76 mm), a 2,500-lb (1.13-
mt) trip limit for longfin squid/butterfish moratorium permits using 
mesh less than 3 inches (76 mm), and a trip limit of 600 lb (0.27 mt) 
for vessels issued squid/butterfish incidental catch permits. Once 
butterfish harvest reaches the trip hold reduction threshold to move 
from phase 1 to phase 2, the trip limit for longfin squid/butterfish 
moratorium permit holders will be reduced while in phase 2 to 5,000 lb 
(2.27 mt) for vessels using greater than or equal to 3-inch (7.62 cm) 
mesh. The limit remains unchanged at 2,500-lb (1.13 mt) per trip or 
calendar day for vessels issued a Federal longfin squid/butterfish 
moratorium permits and fishing with less than 3-inch (76-mm); and the 
incidental limit remains at 600 lb (0.27 mt). When we project 
butterfish harvest to reach the trip hold reduction thresholds to move 
from phase 2 to phase 3, the trip limit for all longfin squid/
butterfish moratorium permit holders will be reduced while in phase 3 
to 500 lb (0.23 mt) to avoid quota overages. For phases 2 and 3, the 
quota thresholds to reduce the trip limits will vary bimonthly 
throughout the year.
    Section 648.24 requires NMFS to reduce the butterfish trip limits 
for vessels issued longfin squid/butterfish moratorium permits when 
butterfish harvest reaches the trip limit reduction threshold to move 
from phase 1 to phase 2. When butterfish harvest reaches the trip limit 
reduction threshold to move from phase 1 to phase 2, vessels fishing 
with a minimum mesh size of 3 inches (76 mm) are prohibited from 
fishing for, catching, possessing, or landing more than 5,000 lb (2.27 
mt) per trip or per day. Trip limits for vessels issued longfin squid/
butterfish moratorium permits fishing with mesh less than 3 inches (76 
mm) remain at 2,500 lb (1.13 mt) of butterfish per trip, and the 
incidental trip limit remains at 600 mt (0.27 lb).
    NMFS is further required to notify the Executive Directors of the 
Mid-Atlantic, New England, and South Atlantic Fishery Management 
Councils; mail notification of the trip limit reduction to all holders 
of butterfish permits at least 72 hr before the effective date of the 
trip limit reduction; provide adequate notice of the trip limit 
reduction to recreational participants in the fishery; and publish 
notification of the trip limit reduction in the Federal Register.
    The Administrator, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, based on dealer 
reports and other available information, has determined that butterfish 
harvest has reached the phase 2 trip limit reduction of 47 percent. 
Therefore, effective 0001 hours, March 18, 2014, the directed 
butterfish fishery is operating under phase 2, and vessels issued 
Federal longfin squid/butterfish moratorium permits may not fish for, 
catch, possess or land more than 5,000 lb (2.27 mt) of butterfish per 
trip or calendar day when fishing with mesh size greater than 3 inches 
(76 mm). Trip limits for vessels issued longfin squid/butterfish 
moratorium permits fishing with mesh less than 3 inches (76 mm) will 
remain at 2,500 lb (1.13 mt) of butterfish per trip and the incidental 
trip limit will remain at 600 lb (0.27 mt). If or when butterfish 
harvest is projected to reach the phase 3 trip limit reduction 
threshold specified for 2013, butterfish trip limits for longfin squid/
butterfish moratorium permit holders will be reduced to 500 lb (0.23 
mt), regardless of mesh size used, through a subsequent action in the 
Federal Register.

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 contrary to the 
public interest. This action reduces the butterfish trip limit for 
vessels issued longfin squid/butterfish moratorium permits, under 
current regulations. The regulations at Sec.  648.24 require such 
action to ensure that butterfish vessels do not exceed the 2013 DAH. 
Data indicating the butterfish fleet will have landed at least 50 
percent of the 2013 DAH have only recently become available. If NMFS 
delays the implementation of this trip limit reduction in order to 
solicit prior public comment, butterfish harvest may continue to 
increase without sufficient effort control, thereby undermining the 
conservation objectives of the FMP. The AA further finds, pursuant to 5 
U.S.C. 553(d)(3), good cause to waive the 30-day delayed effectiveness 
period for the reasons stated above.

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

    Dated: March 13, 2014.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-05920 Filed 3-13-14; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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