Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Trip Limit Adjustment for the Common Pool Fishery, 2612-2613 [2015-00696]

Download as PDF 2612 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 12 / Tuesday, January 20, 2015 / Rules and Regulations ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY institute a second comment period on this action. 40 CFR Part 52 List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52 [EPA–R04–OAR–2013–0772; FRL–9921–83– Region–4] Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; North Carolina; Inspection and Maintenance Program Updates Environmental Protection Agency. ACTION: Withdrawal of direct final rule. AGENCY: Due to the receipt of adverse comments, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is withdrawing the November 20, 2014, direct final rule to approve North Carolina’s January 31, 2008, May 24, 2010, October 11, 2013, and February 11, 2014, State Implementation Plan (SIP) submissions pertaining to changes to the North Carolina Inspection and Maintenance (I/ M) program. EPA will address the adverse comments in a subsequent final action based on the parallel proposal also published on November 20, 2014. As stated in the proposal, EPA will not institute a second comment period on this action. DATES: The direct final rule published at 79 FR 69051 on November 20, 2014, is withdrawn as of January 20, 2015. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nacosta Ward, Air Planning Branch, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW., Atlanta, Georgia 30303–8960. Phone number: (404) 562–9140; Email: ward.nacosta@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 20, 2014 (79 FR 69051), EPA published a direct final rulemaking to approve North Carolina’s January 31, 2008, May 24, 2010, October 11, 2013, and February 11, 2014, SIP submissions that pertain to changes to the North Carolina I/M program. In the direct final rule, EPA stated that if adverse comments were received by December 22, 2014, EPA would publish a notice in the Federal Register withdrawing the final rule and informing the public that the rule would not take effect. EPA received comments on December 17, 2014, and December 19, 2014. EPA interprets the comments received on December 19, 2014 as adverse and, therefore, is withdrawing the direct final rule. EPA will address the adverse comments in a subsequent final action based upon the proposed rulemaking action, also published on November 20, 2014 (79 FR 69090). As stated in the proposed rulemaking, EPA will not rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with RULES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:43 Jan 16, 2015 Jkt 235001 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason trip limit adjustment. allocation of Southern New England/ Mid-Atlantic yellowtail flounder. DATES: This action is effective January 20, 2015, through April 30, 2015. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brett Alger, Fishery Management Specialist, 978–675–2153. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations governing the Northeast (NE) multispecies fishery are found at 50 CFR part 648, subpart F. The regulations at 50 CFR 648.86(o) authorize the Regional Administrator (RA) to adjust the possession limits for common pool vessels in order to prevent the overharvest or underharvest of the common pool quotas. The fishing year 2014 (May 1, 2014, through April 30, 2015) common pool sub-annual catch limit (sub-ACL) for Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic (SNE/MA) yellowtail flounder is 102.0 mt. Based on the most recent data and information, which includes vessel trip reports, dealer-reported landings, and vessel monitoring system (VMS) information, we have determined that 79 percent of the SNE/MA yellowtail flounder sub-ACL has been caught. Recent analysis shows that the common pool would likely exceed its allocation for SNE/MA yellowtail flounder if the trip limit is not reduced to the limits specified in this action. To address a potential overharvest, the trip limit for SNE/MA yellowtail flounder is reduced to 250 lb (113.4 kg) per day-at-sea (DAS) up to 500 lb (226.8 kg) per trip. The trip limit adjustment is effective January 20, 2015, through April 30, 2015, and applies to all common pool vessels. Weekly quota monitoring reports for the common pool fishery can be found on our Web site at: https:// www.nero.noaa.gov/ro/fso/ MultiMonReports.htm. We will continue to monitor common pool catch through vessel trip reports, dealer-reported landings, VMS catch reports, and other available information and, if necessary, we will make additional adjustments to common pool management measures. This action reduces the possession limit for Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic yellowtail flounder for Northeast multispecies common pool vessels for the remainder of the 2014 fishing year. Federal regulations allow NMFS to adjust the trip limit, if necessary, to help ensure that a common pool quota is not exceeded. The common pool has caught 79 percent of its Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic yellowtail flounder quota. This action is intended to prevent the overharvest of the common pool’s 2014 fishing year 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 impracticable and contrary to the public interest for the reasons stated below. Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the AA also finds good cause to waive the 30day delayed effectiveness period for the same reasons. Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Carbon monoxide, Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental relations, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Particulate matter, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Sulfur oxides, Volatile organic compounds. Dated: January 5, 2015. V. Anne Heard, Acting Regional Administrator, Region 4. Accordingly, the revised entries in 40 CFR 52.1770 (c) for ‘‘Sect .1002,’’ ‘‘Sect .1003,’’ and ‘‘Sect .1005’’, the removal of the entry for ‘‘Sect .1004,’’ and the addition of the last entry to 40 CFR 52.1770 (e) ‘‘Non-Interference Demonstration for the North Carolina Inspection and Maintenance Program,’’ which published in the Federal Register on November 20, 2014, at 79 FR 69051 are withdrawn as of January 20, 2015. ■ [FR Doc. 2015–00775 Filed 1–16–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 648 [Docket No. 140106011–4338–02] RIN 0648–XD637 Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Trip Limit Adjustment for the Common Pool Fishery AGENCY: SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\20JAR1.SGM 20JAR1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 12 / Tuesday, January 20, 2015 / Rules and Regulations rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with RULES The regulations at § 648.86(o) authorize the RA to adjust the NE multispecies trip limits for common pool vessels in order to prevent the overharvest or underharvest of the common pool quotas. The catch data used as the basis for this action only recently became available. The available analysis indicates that if the SNE/MA yellowtail flounder trip limit is not reduced quickly, the common pool fishery will likely exceed its 2014 fishing year allocation for this stock. Any overages of the common pool quota VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:43 Jan 16, 2015 Jkt 235001 any stock would undermine conservation objectives and trigger the implementation of accountability measures that would have negative economic impacts on common pool vessels. This action reduces the probability of the common pool fishery exceeding its allocations for SNE/MA yellowtail flounder. As a result, the time necessary to provide for prior notice and comment, and a 30-day delay in effectiveness, would prevent NMFS from implementing the necessary trip limit adjustment in a timely manner, PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 2613 which could undermine conservation objectives of the NE Multispecies Fishery Management Plan, and cause negative economic impacts to the common pool fishery. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: January 13, 2015. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2015–00696 Filed 1–16–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P E:\FR\FM\20JAR1.SGM 20JAR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 12 (Tuesday, January 20, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2612-2613]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-00696]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No. 140106011-4338-02]
RIN 0648-XD637


Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast 
Multispecies Fishery; Trip Limit Adjustment for the Common Pool Fishery

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason trip limit adjustment.

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SUMMARY: This action reduces the possession limit for Southern New 
England/Mid-Atlantic yellowtail flounder for Northeast multispecies 
common pool vessels for the remainder of the 2014 fishing year. Federal 
regulations allow NMFS to adjust the trip limit, if necessary, to help 
ensure that a common pool quota is not exceeded. The common pool has 
caught 79 percent of its Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic yellowtail 
flounder quota. This action is intended to prevent the overharvest of 
the common pool's 2014 fishing year allocation of Southern New England/
Mid-Atlantic yellowtail flounder.

DATES: This action is effective January 20, 2015, through April 30, 
2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brett Alger, Fishery Management 
Specialist, 978-675-2153.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations governing the Northeast (NE) 
multispecies fishery are found at 50 CFR part 648, subpart F. The 
regulations at 50 CFR 648.86(o) authorize the Regional Administrator 
(RA) to adjust the possession limits for common pool vessels in order 
to prevent the overharvest or underharvest of the common pool quotas. 
The fishing year 2014 (May 1, 2014, through April 30, 2015) common pool 
sub-annual catch limit (sub-ACL) for Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic 
(SNE/MA) yellowtail flounder is 102.0 mt. Based on the most recent data 
and information, which includes vessel trip reports, dealer-reported 
landings, and vessel monitoring system (VMS) information, we have 
determined that 79 percent of the SNE/MA yellowtail flounder sub-ACL 
has been caught. Recent analysis shows that the common pool would 
likely exceed its allocation for SNE/MA yellowtail flounder if the trip 
limit is not reduced to the limits specified in this action. To address 
a potential overharvest, the trip limit for SNE/MA yellowtail flounder 
is reduced to 250 lb (113.4 kg) per day-at-sea (DAS) up to 500 lb 
(226.8 kg) per trip. The trip limit adjustment is effective January 20, 
2015, through April 30, 2015, and applies to all common pool vessels.
    Weekly quota monitoring reports for the common pool fishery can be 
found on our Web site at: https://www.nero.noaa.gov/ro/fso/MultiMonReports.htm. We will continue to monitor common pool catch 
through vessel trip reports, dealer-reported landings, VMS catch 
reports, and other available information and, if necessary, we will 
make additional adjustments to common pool management measures.

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 impracticable and 
contrary to the public interest for the reasons stated below. Pursuant 
to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the AA also finds good cause to waive the 30-day 
delayed effectiveness period for the same reasons.

[[Page 2613]]

    The regulations at Sec.  648.86(o) authorize the RA to adjust the 
NE multispecies trip limits for common pool vessels in order to prevent 
the overharvest or underharvest of the common pool quotas. The catch 
data used as the basis for this action only recently became available. 
The available analysis indicates that if the SNE/MA yellowtail flounder 
trip limit is not reduced quickly, the common pool fishery will likely 
exceed its 2014 fishing year allocation for this stock. Any overages of 
the common pool quota any stock would undermine conservation objectives 
and trigger the implementation of accountability measures that would 
have negative economic impacts on common pool vessels. This action 
reduces the probability of the common pool fishery exceeding its 
allocations for SNE/MA yellowtail flounder. As a result, the time 
necessary to provide for prior notice and comment, and a 30-day delay 
in effectiveness, would prevent NMFS from implementing the necessary 
trip limit adjustment in a timely manner, which could undermine 
conservation objectives of the NE Multispecies Fishery Management Plan, 
and cause negative economic impacts to the common pool fishery.

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

    Dated: January 13, 2015.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-00696 Filed 1-16-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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