Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic; 2014 Commercial Accountability Measure and Closure for South Atlantic Gag, 68373-68374 [2014-27051]

Download as PDF 68373 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 221 / Monday, November 17, 2014 / Rules and Regulations Species 1 Common name Description of listed entity Scientific name Citation(s) for listing determination(s) Critical habitat * 41 FR 51611, Nov 23, 1976. * ESA rules Marine Mammals * Seal, Hawaiian monk * * Neomonachus schauinslandi (= Monachus schauinslandi.) * * * * Entire Species ........ * * * 226.201 * NA * 1 Species includes taxonomic species, subspecies, distinct population segments (DPSs) (for a policy statement, see 61 FR 4722, February 7, 1996), and evolutionarily significant units (ESUs) (for a policy statement, see 56 FR 58612, November 20, 1991). PART 226—DESIGNATED CRITICAL HABITAT 3. The authority citation for part 226 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1533. 4. Revise the heading of the Hawaiian monk seal entry under § 226.201 to read as follows: ■ § 226.201 Critical habitat for Hawaiian monk seals. HAWAIIAN MONK SEAL (Neomonachus schauinslandi (=Monachus schauinslandi)) * * * * * BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 622 [Docket No. 120924488–3671–02] RIN 0648–XD599 Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; SnapperGrouper Fishery of the South Atlantic; 2014 Commercial Accountability Measure and Closure for South Atlantic Gag 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 gag in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic. Commercial landings for gag, as estimated by the Science Research Director, are projected to reach the commercial annual catch limit (ACL). Therefore, NMFS closes the commercial sector for gag in the South rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with RULES VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:11 Nov 14, 2014 Jkt 235001 The snapper-grouper fishery of the South Atlantic, which includes gag, 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 or commercial quota (quota) for gag in the South Atlantic is 326,722 lb (148,199 kg), gutted weight, for the current fishing year, as specified in 50 CFR 622.190(a)(7). In accordance with regulations at 50 CFR 622.193(c)(1), NMFS is required to close the commercial sector for gag when the 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 projected that the quota for South Atlantic gag will be reached on November 21, 2014. Accordingly, the commercial sector for South Atlantic gag is closed effective 12:01 a.m., local time, November 21, 2014, until 12:01 a.m., local time, January 1, 2015. The recreational sector will continue to remain open through December 31, 2014. Additionally, a seasonal closure is in place for the recreational and commercial sectors for gag from January SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: [FR Doc. 2014–27181 Filed 11–14–14; 8:45 am] SUMMARY: Atlantic EEZ on November 21, 2014, for the remainder of the 2014 fishing year, through December 31, 2014. This action is necessary to protect the South Atlantic gag resource. DATES: This rule is effective 12:01 a.m., local time, November 21, 2014, until 12:01 a.m., local time, January 1, 2015. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Catherine Hayslip, telephone: 727–824– 5305, email: catherine.hayslip@ noaa.gov. PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 through April each year as specified in 50 CFR 622.183(b)(1). During the seasonal closure, no person may fish for, harvest, or possess any gag in or from the South Atlantic EEZ. Therefore, the 2015 commercial gag season will not start until May 1, 2015. The operator of a vessel with a valid commercial vessel permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper having gag onboard must have landed and bartered, traded, or sold such gag prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, November 21, 2014. During this commercial closure, the bag limit and possession limits specified in 50 CFR 622.187(b)(2)(i) and (c)(1), respectively, apply to all harvest or possession of gag in or from the South Atlantic EEZ, and the sale or purchase of gag taken from the EEZ is prohibited. The prohibition on sale or purchase does not apply to the sale or purchase of gag that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, November 21, 2014, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor. For a person on board a vessel for which NMFS has issued a valid Federal commercial or charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper species, the sale and purchase provisions of the commercial closure and the bag and possession limits apply regardless of whether the fish are harvested in state or Federal waters, as specified in 50 CFR 622.190(c)(1). Classification The Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, NMFS, has determined this temporary rule is necessary for the conservation and management of South Atlantic gag and is consistent with the MagnusonStevens Act and other applicable laws. This action is taken under 50 CFR 622.193(c)(1) 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 E:\FR\FM\17NOR1.SGM 17NOR1 68374 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 221 / Monday, November 17, 2014 / Rules and Regulations without opportunity for prior notice and comment. This action responds to the best scientific information available 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 gag 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 are unnecessary and contrary to the public interest. Such procedures are unnecessary because the rule itself has been subject to notice and comment, and all that remains is to notify the public of the closure. Additionally, 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 gag since the capacity of the fishing fleet allows for rapid harvest of the quota. Prior notice and opportunity for public comment would require time and would potentially result in a harvest well in excess of the established quota. 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: November 10, 2014. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2014–27051 Filed 11–12–14; 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–XD623 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the Bering Sea Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with RULES AGENCY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:11 Nov 14, 2014 Jkt 235001 (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2014 Pacific ocean perch total allowable catch (TAC) in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), November 12, 2014, through 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 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 2014 Pacific ocean perch TAC in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI is 7,684 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2014 and 2015 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (79 FR 12108, March 4, 2014). In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i) and (ii)(B), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that the 2014 Pacific ocean perch TAC in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI will be needed as incidental catch to support other groundfish fisheries. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 7,184 mt, and is setting aside the remaining 500 mt as incidental catch. In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator finds that this directed fishing allowance has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the Bering Sea subarea of 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 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 data in a timely fashion and would delay the directed fishing closure of Pacific ocean perch in the Bering Sea subarea of 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 November 10, 2014. 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 § 679.20 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: November 12, 2014. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2014–27162 Filed 11–12–14; 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–XD624 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Several Groundfish Species in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; apportionment of reserves; request for comments. AGENCY: NMFS apportions amounts of the non-specified reserve to the initial total allowable catch (ITAC) of Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) northern rockfish and BSAI skates, and the total allowable catch (TAC) of Bering Sea (BS) ‘‘other rockfish’’ and BSAI octopuses in the BSAI management area. This action is necessary to allow the fisheries to continue operating. It is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the fishery management plan for the BSAI management area. DATES: Effective November 12, 2014, through 2400 hrs, Alaska local time, December 31, 2014. Comments must be received at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., Alaska local time, November 28, 2014. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\17NOR1.SGM 17NOR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 221 (Monday, November 17, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 68373-68374]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-27051]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 120924488-3671-02]
RIN 0648-XD599


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic; 2014 Commercial 
Accountability Measure and Closure for South Atlantic Gag

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS implements accountability measures (AMs) for the 
commercial sector for gag in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the 
South Atlantic. Commercial landings for gag, as estimated by the 
Science Research Director, are projected to reach the commercial annual 
catch limit (ACL). Therefore, NMFS closes the commercial sector for gag 
in the South Atlantic EEZ on November 21, 2014, for the remainder of 
the 2014 fishing year, through December 31, 2014. This action is 
necessary to protect the South Atlantic gag resource.

DATES: This rule is effective 12:01 a.m., local time, November 21, 
2014, until 12:01 a.m., local time, January 1, 2015.

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, which includes gag, 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 or commercial quota (quota) for gag in the South 
Atlantic is 326,722 lb (148,199 kg), gutted weight, for the current 
fishing year, as specified in 50 CFR 622.190(a)(7).
    In accordance with regulations at 50 CFR 622.193(c)(1), NMFS is 
required to close the commercial sector for gag when the 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 projected 
that the quota for South Atlantic gag will be reached on November 21, 
2014. Accordingly, the commercial sector for South Atlantic gag is 
closed effective 12:01 a.m., local time, November 21, 2014, until 12:01 
a.m., local time, January 1, 2015. The recreational sector will 
continue to remain open through December 31, 2014.
    Additionally, a seasonal closure is in place for the recreational 
and commercial sectors for gag from January through April each year as 
specified in 50 CFR 622.183(b)(1). During the seasonal closure, no 
person may fish for, harvest, or possess any gag in or from the South 
Atlantic EEZ. Therefore, the 2015 commercial gag season will not start 
until May 1, 2015.
    The operator of a vessel with a valid commercial vessel permit for 
South Atlantic snapper-grouper having gag onboard must have landed and 
bartered, traded, or sold such gag prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, 
November 21, 2014. During this commercial closure, the bag limit and 
possession limits specified in 50 CFR 622.187(b)(2)(i) and (c)(1), 
respectively, apply to all harvest or possession of gag in or from the 
South Atlantic EEZ, and the sale or purchase of gag taken from the EEZ 
is prohibited. The prohibition on sale or purchase does not apply to 
the sale or purchase of gag that were harvested, landed ashore, and 
sold prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, November 21, 2014, and were held 
in cold storage by a dealer or processor. For a person on board a 
vessel for which NMFS has issued a valid Federal commercial or charter 
vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper species, the 
sale and purchase provisions of the commercial closure and the bag and 
possession limits apply regardless of whether the fish are harvested in 
state or Federal waters, as specified in 50 CFR 622.190(c)(1).

Classification

    The Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, NMFS, has determined 
this temporary rule is necessary for the conservation and management of 
South Atlantic gag and is consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act and 
other applicable laws.
    This action is taken under 50 CFR 622.193(c)(1) 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

[[Page 68374]]

without opportunity for prior notice and comment.
    This action responds to the best scientific information available 
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 gag 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 are unnecessary and contrary to the 
public interest. Such procedures are unnecessary because the rule 
itself has been subject to notice and comment, and all that remains is 
to notify the public of the closure. Additionally, 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 gag since the capacity of the fishing fleet allows for rapid 
harvest of the quota. Prior notice and opportunity for public comment 
would require time and would potentially result in a harvest well in 
excess of the established quota.
    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: November 10, 2014.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-27051 Filed 11-12-14; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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