Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Extension of the 2014 Gulf of Mexico Recreational Red Grouper Season, 54668-54669 [2014-21765]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 177 / Friday, September 12, 2014 / Rules and Regulations
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 80
[Docket No. FWS–HQ–WSR–2014–0040;
FVWF941009000007B–XXX–FF09W11000]
RIN 1018–BA56
Financial Assistance: Wildlife
Restoration, Sport Fish Restoration,
Hunter Education and Safety;
Correction
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Final rule; technical
amendment.
AGENCY:
The Fish and Wildlife Service
published a final rule in the Federal
Register on August 1, 2011 (76 FR
46150). We included in this final rule a
combined symbol to use when referring
to both the Wildlife Restoration and the
Sport Fish Restoration programs
together. The language around the
symbol is in reverse order, and this
document corrects the error.
DATES: Effective September 12, 2014.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisa
E. Van Alstyne, Wildlife and Sport Fish
Restoration Program, Division of Policy
and Programs, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, 703–358–1942.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
SUMMARY:
Background
Symbols were added to the
regulations governing the Wildlife
Restoration and Sport Fish Restoration
(WSFR) programs through regulations
published December 15, 1987 (52 FR
47571). One symbol represents the
Wildlife Restoration Program, one
represents the Sport Fish Restoration
Program, and one represents the
combined programs. The language in
the combined symbol reads ‘‘Sport Fish
and Wildlife Restoration.’’ The symbols
have remained the same since originally
published.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES
Need for Correction
16:18 Sep 11, 2014
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 80
Fish, Grant programs—natural
resources, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Signs and symbols,
Wildlife.
Regulation Promulgation
Accordingly, we amend 50 CFR part
80 as follows:
PART 80—ADMINISTRATIVE
REQUIREMENTS, PITTMANROBERTSON WILDLIFE
RESTORATION AND DINGELLJOHNSON SPORT FISH
RESTORATION ACTS
1. The authority citation for 50 CFR 80
continues to read as follows:
■
At the time the symbol was first
developed, the program within the
Service that administers these grant
programs was called ‘‘Division of
Federal Aid.’’ Since then, we have
changed our name to the ‘‘Wildlife and
Sport Fish Restoration Program.’’ The
order of programs reflects that the
Wildlife Restoration Program was
authorized prior to the Sport Fish
Restoration Program. It has been many
years since we have changed our name,
and referencing WSFR is now common.
Having the combined symbol read
VerDate Mar<15>2010
‘‘Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration’’ is
confusing to States who implement
projects with WSFR funding;
manufacturers who contribute millions
of dollars through excise taxes, boater
fuel and electric motor taxes, and
import duties that contribute to the
Wildlife Restoration Account and the
Sport Fish Restoration and Boating
Trust Fund; and interested stakeholders.
In 2011, we completed a
comprehensive review and update to 50
CFR part 80 (76 FR 46150, August 1,
2011). We neglected to correct the
symbol to reflect the current name of the
WSFR program and now correct this
error.
If a State or other entity is using the
former combined symbol on signs, print
media, or other physical items to
identify WSFR or WSFR-funded
projects, they should continue to use
those items until quantities are
exhausted or they are normally
replaced. The new combined symbol
may be used immediately for electronic
updates or new signs, print media, or
other physical items. If you have
questions on the appropriate use of the
combined symbol, contact the person
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT, above.
Jkt 232001
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 669–669k; 16 U.S.C.
777–777n, except 777e–1 and g–1.
2. Amend § 80.99 by revising
paragraph (c) to read as follows:
■
§ 80.99 Are symbols available to identify
projects?
*
*
*
*
*
(c) The symbol of the Acts when used
in combination follows:
PO 00000
Frm 00102
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
Dated: August 29, 2014.
Michael J. Bean,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish
and Wildlife and Parks.
[FR Doc. 2014–21824 Filed 9–11–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 622
[Docket No. 100217095–2081–04]
RIN 0648–XD479
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of
Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish
Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico;
Extension of the 2014 Gulf of Mexico
Recreational Red Grouper Season
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; extension.
AGENCY:
NMFS extends the
recreational fishing season for the red
grouper component of the reef fish
fishery in the exclusive economic zone
(EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) for
the 2014 fishing year through this
temporary rule. On April 30, 2014,
NMFS published a temporary rule to
implement accountability measures and
a closure for the recreational sector for
red grouper. That temporary rule
reduced the red grouper bag limit in the
Gulf EEZ to three fish (within the
current four-fish grouper aggregate bag
limit) and announced a recreational
fishing season closure date of September
16, 2014, based on a recreational annual
catch limit (ACL) overage in 2013 and
the reduced bag limit. However, using
updated landings information from
2014, NMFS has determined that the
recreational fishing season for red
grouper may be extended for an
additional 18 days. The purpose of this
action is to provide fishermen the
opportunity to harvest the recreational
annual catch target (ACT) for Gulf red
grouper, and the opportunity to achieve
the optimum yield for the fishery, thus
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\12SER1.SGM
12SER1
ER12SE14.027</GPH>
54668
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 177 / Friday, September 12, 2014 / Rules and Regulations
enhancing social and economic benefits
to the fishery.
DATES: The extension is effective 12:01
a.m., local time, September 16, 2014,
until 12:01 a.m., local time, October 4,
2014. The season will then be closed
until it reopens on January 1, 2015, the
beginning of the 2015 recreational
fishing season, unless further
notification is published in the Federal
Register.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rich
Malinowski, Southeast Regional Office,
telephone 727–824–5305, email
rich.malinowski@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The reef
fish fishery of the Gulf, which includes
red grouper, is managed under the
Fishery Management Plan for the Reef
Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico
(FMP). The FMP was prepared by the
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management
Council (Council) and is implemented
through regulations at 50 CFR part 622
under the authority of the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens
Act). All weights specified in this rule
are gutted weight.
The Gulf red grouper recreational
ACL is 1,900,000 lb (861,826 kg), and
the recreational ACT is 1,730,000 lb
(784,715 kg), as specified in 50 CFR
622.41(e)(2)(iv). The recreational ACL
and ACT for red grouper were
implemented through Amendment 32 to
the FMP (77 FR 6988, February 10,
2012). Red grouper are not overfished,
based on the most recent Status of U.S.
Fisheries Report to Congress.
NMFS determined that the 2013
recreational landings exceeded the 2013
recreational ACL of 1,900,000 lb
(861,826 kg) by 492,113 lb (223,219 kg)
and implemented post-season AMs
through a temporary rule published on
April 30, 2014 (79 FR 24353). In
accordance with regulations at 50 CFR
622.41(e)(2)(ii), that temporary rule
reduced the bag limit for Gulf red
grouper from four to three fish (within
the four-fish grouper aggregate bag limit)
and reduced the recreational fishing
season for Gulf red grouper for the 2014
fishing year to ensure landings do not
exceed the recreational ACT.
NMFS now has updated landings data
for recreational red grouper for the 2014
fishing year and has determined that
landings were less than projected.
Therefore, NMFS is extending the
recreational fishing season for red
grouper through this temporary rule.
The extension is effective 12:01 a.m.,
local time, September 16, 2014, until
12:01 a.m., local time, October 4, 2014.
The season will then be closed until it
reopens on January 1, 2015, the
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:18 Sep 11, 2014
Jkt 232001
beginning of the 2015 recreational
fishing season, unless further
notification is published in the Federal
Register.
During the recreational sector closure,
the bag and possession limit for red
grouper in or from the Gulf EEZ is zero.
This bag and possession limit applies in
the Gulf on board a vessel for which a
valid Federal charter vessel/headboat
permit for Gulf reef fish has been issued,
without regard to where such species
were harvested, i.e. in state or Federal
waters.
The recreational sector for red grouper
will reopen on January 1, 2015, the
beginning of the 2015 recreational
fishing season. The 2015 bag limit for
red grouper will return to four fish, as
specified at 50 CFR 622.38(b)(2), unless
AMs are implemented due to a
recreational ACL overage in 2014, or the
Council takes subsequent regulatory
action to adjust the bag limit.
Classification
The Regional Administrator,
Southeast Region, NMFS, has
determined this temporary rule is
necessary for the conservation and
management of Gulf red grouper and is
consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens
Act and other applicable laws.
This action is taken under 50 CFR
622.41(e)(2)(ii) and is exempt from
review under Executive Order 12866.
These measures are exempt from the
procedures of the Regulatory Flexibility
Act because the temporary rule is issued
without opportunity for prior notice and
comment.
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), there
is good cause to waive the requirements
to provide prior notice and opportunity
for public comment on this temporary
rule. Such procedures are unnecessary
because the final rule for Amendment
32 to the FMP (77 FR 6988, February 10,
2012) that established the recreational
ACL, ACT, and AMs has already been
subject to notice and comment, and all
that remains is to notify the public that
additional harvest remains on the
established recreational ACT and,
therefore, the recreational fishing season
for Gulf red grouper will be extended for
18 additional days.
This rule relieves a restriction by
extending the recreational fishing
season for red grouper. Because it
relieves a restriction, this rule is not
subject to the 30-day delayed
effectiveness provision of 5 U.S.C.
553(d)(1).
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
PO 00000
Frm 00103
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
54669
Dated: September 8, 2014.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014–21765 Filed 9–9–14; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 131021878–4158–02]
RIN 0648–XD496
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of
Pollock in the Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule.
AGENCY:
NMFS is reallocating the
projected unused amounts of the Aleut
Corporation’s pollock directed fishing
allowance from the Aleutian Islands
subarea to the Bering Sea subarea
directed fisheries. These actions are
necessary to provide opportunity for
harvest of the 2014 total allowable catch
of pollock, consistent with the goals and
objectives of the Fishery Management
Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea
and Aleutian Islands Management Area.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local
time (A.l.t.), September 12, 2014, until
2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2014.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Steve Whitney, 907–586–7269.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
manages the groundfish fishery in the
BSAI exclusive economic zone
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 (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.
In the Aleutian Islands subarea, the
portion of the 2014 pollock total
allowable catch (TAC) allocated to the
Aleut Corporation’s directed fishing
allowance (DFA) is 7,350 metric tons
(mt) as established by the final 2014 and
2015 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI (79 FR 12108,
March 4, 2014), and through
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\12SER1.SGM
12SER1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 177 (Friday, September 12, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54668-54669]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-21765]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 622
[Docket No. 100217095-2081-04]
RIN 0648-XD479
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic;
Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Extension of the 2014 Gulf of
Mexico Recreational Red Grouper Season
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; extension.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS extends the recreational fishing season for the red
grouper component of the reef fish fishery in the exclusive economic
zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) for the 2014 fishing year
through this temporary rule. On April 30, 2014, NMFS published a
temporary rule to implement accountability measures and a closure for
the recreational sector for red grouper. That temporary rule reduced
the red grouper bag limit in the Gulf EEZ to three fish (within the
current four-fish grouper aggregate bag limit) and announced a
recreational fishing season closure date of September 16, 2014, based
on a recreational annual catch limit (ACL) overage in 2013 and the
reduced bag limit. However, using updated landings information from
2014, NMFS has determined that the recreational fishing season for red
grouper may be extended for an additional 18 days. The purpose of this
action is to provide fishermen the opportunity to harvest the
recreational annual catch target (ACT) for Gulf red grouper, and the
opportunity to achieve the optimum yield for the fishery, thus
[[Page 54669]]
enhancing social and economic benefits to the fishery.
DATES: The extension is effective 12:01 a.m., local time, September 16,
2014, until 12:01 a.m., local time, October 4, 2014. The season will
then be closed until it reopens on January 1, 2015, the beginning of
the 2015 recreational fishing season, unless further notification is
published in the Federal Register.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rich Malinowski, Southeast Regional
Office, telephone 727-824-5305, email rich.malinowski@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The reef fish fishery of the Gulf, which
includes red grouper, is managed under the Fishery Management Plan for
the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP). The FMP was
prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) and
is implemented through regulations at 50 CFR part 622 under the
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management
Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). All weights specified in this rule are
gutted weight.
The Gulf red grouper recreational ACL is 1,900,000 lb (861,826 kg),
and the recreational ACT is 1,730,000 lb (784,715 kg), as specified in
50 CFR 622.41(e)(2)(iv). The recreational ACL and ACT for red grouper
were implemented through Amendment 32 to the FMP (77 FR 6988, February
10, 2012). Red grouper are not overfished, based on the most recent
Status of U.S. Fisheries Report to Congress.
NMFS determined that the 2013 recreational landings exceeded the
2013 recreational ACL of 1,900,000 lb (861,826 kg) by 492,113 lb
(223,219 kg) and implemented post-season AMs through a temporary rule
published on April 30, 2014 (79 FR 24353). In accordance with
regulations at 50 CFR 622.41(e)(2)(ii), that temporary rule reduced the
bag limit for Gulf red grouper from four to three fish (within the
four-fish grouper aggregate bag limit) and reduced the recreational
fishing season for Gulf red grouper for the 2014 fishing year to ensure
landings do not exceed the recreational ACT.
NMFS now has updated landings data for recreational red grouper for
the 2014 fishing year and has determined that landings were less than
projected. Therefore, NMFS is extending the recreational fishing season
for red grouper through this temporary rule. The extension is effective
12:01 a.m., local time, September 16, 2014, until 12:01 a.m., local
time, October 4, 2014. The season will then be closed until it reopens
on January 1, 2015, the beginning of the 2015 recreational fishing
season, unless further notification is published in the Federal
Register.
During the recreational sector closure, the bag and possession
limit for red grouper in or from the Gulf EEZ is zero. This bag and
possession limit applies in the Gulf on board a vessel for which a
valid Federal charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf reef fish has
been issued, without regard to where such species were harvested, i.e.
in state or Federal waters.
The recreational sector for red grouper will reopen on January 1,
2015, the beginning of the 2015 recreational fishing season. The 2015
bag limit for red grouper will return to four fish, as specified at 50
CFR 622.38(b)(2), unless AMs are implemented due to a recreational ACL
overage in 2014, or the Council takes subsequent regulatory action to
adjust the bag limit.
Classification
The Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, NMFS, has determined
this temporary rule is necessary for the conservation and management of
Gulf red grouper and is consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act and
other applicable laws.
This action is taken under 50 CFR 622.41(e)(2)(ii) and is exempt
from review under Executive Order 12866.
These measures are exempt from the procedures of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act because the temporary rule is issued without
opportunity for prior notice and comment.
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), there is good cause to waive the
requirements to provide prior notice and opportunity for public comment
on this temporary rule. Such procedures are unnecessary because the
final rule for Amendment 32 to the FMP (77 FR 6988, February 10, 2012)
that established the recreational ACL, ACT, and AMs has already been
subject to notice and comment, and all that remains is to notify the
public that additional harvest remains on the established recreational
ACT and, therefore, the recreational fishing season for Gulf red
grouper will be extended for 18 additional days.
This rule relieves a restriction by extending the recreational
fishing season for red grouper. Because it relieves a restriction, this
rule is not subject to the 30-day delayed effectiveness provision of 5
U.S.C. 553(d)(1).
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: September 8, 2014.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-21765 Filed 9-9-14; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
