Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2014 Commercial Accountability Measure and Closure for South Atlantic Vermilion Snapper, 19836-19837 [2014-08060]
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19836
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 69 / Thursday, April 10, 2014 / Rules and Regulations
Wisconsin
The emergency declaration extension
will remain in effect until further notice,
but in no circumstances, beyond May
31, 2014, for the following six States:
Illinois
Maryland
Minnesota
North Carolina
Pennsylvania
Virginia
Issued under authority delegated in
49 CFR 1.87.
Issued on: April 3, 2014.
Anne S. Ferro,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2014–08021 Filed 4–9–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 622
[Docket No. 130312235–3658–02]
RIN 0648–XD173
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of
Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2014
Commercial Accountability Measure
and Closure for South Atlantic
Vermilion Snapper
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
AGENCY:
NMFS implements
accountability measures (AMs) for the
commercial sector for vermilion snapper
in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of
the South Atlantic. Commercial
landings for vermilion snapper, as
estimated by the Science Research
Director (SRD), are projected to reach
the commercial annual catch limit
(ACL) for the January 1 through June 30,
2014, fishing period on April 19, 2014.
Therefore, NMFS closes the commercial
sector for vermilion snapper in the
South Atlantic EEZ on April 19, 2014,
and it will remain closed until the start
of the July 1 through December 31,
2014, fishing period. This closure is
necessary to protect the vermilion
snapper resource.
DATES: This rule is effective 12:01 a.m.,
local time, April 19, 2014, until 12:01
a.m., local time, July 1, 2014.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Catherine Hayslip, telephone: 727–824–
5305, email: Catherine.Hayslip@
noaa.gov.
ehiers on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with RULES
SUMMARY:
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15:09 Apr 09, 2014
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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 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 (commercial
quota) for vermilion snapper in the
South Atlantic is divided into two
quotas for two 6-month time periods,
and is 401,874 lb (182,287 kg), gutted
weight [446,080 lb (202,338 kg), round
weight], for the current fishing period of
January 1 through June 30, 2014, as
specified in 50 CFR 622.190(a)(4)(i)(B).
On March 7, 2014, NMFS published
a temporary rule (79 FR 12957) to
reduce the commercial trip limit for
vermilion snapper in or from the EEZ of
the South Atlantic to 500 lb (227 kg),
gutted weight, effective 12:01 a.m., local
time, March 11, 2014, until July 1, 2014,
or until the quota is reached and the
commercial sector closes, whichever
occurs first.
In accordance with regulations at 50
CFR 622.193(f)(1), NMFS is required to
close the commercial sector for
vermilion snapper when its commercial
ACL (commercial quota) for that portion
of the fishing year applicable to the
respective commercial ACL (commercial
quota) 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 ACL (commercial quota) for
South Atlantic vermilion snapper for
the January–June fishing period will
have been reached by April 19, 2014.
Accordingly, the commercial sector for
South Atlantic vermilion snapper is
closed effective 12:01 a.m., local time,
April 19, 2014, until 12:01 a.m., local
time, July 1, 2014. The commercial ACL
(commercial quota) for vermilion
snapper in the South Atlantic is 401,874
lb (182,287 kg), gutted weight [446,080
lb (202,338 kg), round weight], for the
July 1 through December 31, 2014,
fishing period, as specified in 50 CFR
622.190(a)(4)(ii)(B).
The operator of a vessel with a valid
commercial vessel permit for South
Atlantic snapper-grouper having
vermilion snapper onboard must have
landed and bartered, traded, or sold
such vermilion snapper prior to 12:01
a.m., local time, April 19, 2014. During
the closure, the bag limit specified in 50
CFR 622.187(b)(5) and the possession
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
PO 00000
Frm 00032
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
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. During the 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, April 19, 2014, and
were held in cold storage by a dealer or
processor. For a person on board a
vessel for which a 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 would 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,
Southeast Region, NMFS, 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, the
FMP, 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
available scientific information recently
obtained from the fishery. The Assistant
Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA,
(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 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 has been subject to notice and
comment, and all that remains is to
notify the public of the closure.
Allowing prior notice and opportunity
for public comment is contrary to the
public interest because of the need to
immediately implement this action to
protect vermilion snapper since the
capacity of the fishing fleet allows for
rapid harvest of the commercial ACL
(commercial quota). Prior notice and
opportunity for public comment would
require time and would likely result in
a harvest well in excess of the
established commercial ACL
(commercial quota).
E:\FR\FM\10APR1.SGM
10APR1
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 69 / Thursday, April 10, 2014 / Rules and Regulations
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.
19837
Dated: April 7, 2014.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014–08060 Filed 4–9–14; 8:45 am]
ehiers on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with RULES
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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15:09 Apr 09, 2014
Jkt 232001
PO 00000
Frm 00033
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E:\FR\FM\10APR1.SGM
10APR1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 69 (Thursday, April 10, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19836-19837]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-08060]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 622
[Docket No. 130312235-3658-02]
RIN 0648-XD173
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic;
2014 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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS implements accountability measures (AMs) for the
commercial sector for vermilion snapper in the exclusive economic zone
(EEZ) of the South Atlantic. Commercial landings for vermilion snapper,
as estimated by the Science Research Director (SRD), are projected to
reach the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) for the January 1 through
June 30, 2014, fishing period on April 19, 2014. Therefore, NMFS closes
the commercial sector for vermilion snapper in the South Atlantic EEZ
on April 19, 2014, and it will remain closed until the start of the
July 1 through December 31, 2014, fishing period. This closure is
necessary to protect the vermilion snapper resource.
DATES: This rule is effective 12:01 a.m., local time, April 19, 2014,
until 12:01 a.m., local time, July 1, 2014.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Catherine Hayslip, telephone: 727-824-
5305, email: Catherine.Hayslip@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 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 (commercial quota) for vermilion snapper in the
South Atlantic is divided into two quotas for two 6-month time periods,
and is 401,874 lb (182,287 kg), gutted weight [446,080 lb (202,338 kg),
round weight], for the current fishing period of January 1 through June
30, 2014, as specified in 50 CFR 622.190(a)(4)(i)(B).
On March 7, 2014, NMFS published a temporary rule (79 FR 12957) to
reduce the commercial trip limit for vermilion snapper in or from the
EEZ of the South Atlantic to 500 lb (227 kg), gutted weight, effective
12:01 a.m., local time, March 11, 2014, until July 1, 2014, or until
the quota is reached and the commercial sector closes, whichever occurs
first.
In accordance with regulations at 50 CFR 622.193(f)(1), NMFS is
required to close the commercial sector for vermilion snapper when its
commercial ACL (commercial quota) for that portion of the fishing year
applicable to the respective commercial ACL (commercial quota) 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 ACL (commercial quota) for South
Atlantic vermilion snapper for the January-June fishing period will
have been reached by April 19, 2014. Accordingly, the commercial sector
for South Atlantic vermilion snapper is closed effective 12:01 a.m.,
local time, April 19, 2014, until 12:01 a.m., local time, July 1, 2014.
The commercial ACL (commercial quota) for vermilion snapper in the
South Atlantic is 401,874 lb (182,287 kg), gutted weight [446,080 lb
(202,338 kg), round weight], for the July 1 through December 31, 2014,
fishing period, as specified in 50 CFR 622.190(a)(4)(ii)(B).
The operator of a vessel with a valid commercial vessel permit for
South Atlantic snapper-grouper having vermilion snapper onboard must
have landed and bartered, traded, or sold such vermilion snapper prior
to 12:01 a.m., local time, April 19, 2014. During the closure, the 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. During the
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, April 19, 2014, and were held in cold storage by a
dealer or processor. For a person on board a vessel for which a 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 would 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, Southeast Region, NMFS, 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, the FMP, 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 available scientific information
recently obtained from the fishery. The Assistant Administrator for
Fisheries, NOAA, (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 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 has been subject to notice and
comment, and all that remains is to notify the public of the closure.
Allowing prior notice and opportunity for public comment is contrary to
the public interest because of the need to immediately implement this
action to protect vermilion snapper since the capacity of the fishing
fleet allows for rapid harvest of the commercial ACL (commercial
quota). Prior notice and opportunity for public comment would require
time and would likely result in a harvest well in excess of the
established commercial ACL (commercial quota).
[[Page 19837]]
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: April 7, 2014.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-08060 Filed 4-9-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P